november:
02nd
BONITA's b-day
election day
04th
ADRI's b-day
05th
wash. d.c. (depart)
redstone arsenal, al (arrive)
11th
SABA's b-day
veteran's day
13th
JUBAILE's b-day
22nd
PAM's b-day
23rd
redstone arsenal, al (depart)
san benito, tx (arrive)
24th
ERIKA's b-day
25th
thanksgiving day
26th
KALEN's b-day
27th
san benito, tx (depart)
redstone arsenal, al (arrive)
28th
DAVINA's b-day
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MONDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2004
10:29-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
-- Psalm 23 : 04
Fifty-eight (58) in a forty-five (45). That will warrant a ticket just about anywhere in the Nation I suppose. But if you are Sergeant Mueller heading home from work (working alongside the Post Command Sergeant Major and Post Commanding General) and happen to be stopped by the MP who just happens to live in the same barracks, ... well, let us just say there was no cause to pull any kind of identification out. This being the second time the same MP stopped me (the first time being a month or so ago for running a flashing red around 11:00 at night) and the fact I was really going as fast as he said, I was fully prepared to be stuck with something more than just a handshake.
Lucky me.
Today wasn't so bad that I had to speed home though. It was just another day really. SHEILA was out today. She and her daughter are both "under the weather." Hopefully she will be in tomorrow morning. But I'm going in early just in case. I need to be in a bit early anyway for some Q & A affair the General is holding in the morning. I'm supposed to help with that in some capacity or another.
So after calling a few people I have come to the conclusion that I'm the laziest of my friends and from day to day do absolutely nothing worthwhile. Well, not really, but "everyone" is busy writing papers or working on this assignment or that project. Who am I to interrupt while driving to no particular place, in no particular direction, but only out of boredom? Tsk. Tsk. Time to do a little evening joyriding. How absurd and such a waste of time. It just seems like "everyone" is so driven and so motivated to press on toward their goals. "Everyone" is doing something. Learning. Progressing. Earning. And here I'm with the time to drive around town aimlessly. Ha! Absurd.
Seeking just a bit of change. ...
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2004
5:34-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see GOD."
-- MATTHEW 05 : 08
I'm up too early. My alarm is set for an hour from now, but yet I'm sitting here groggy. I should get up, turn around, and head back into bed. I will. I hear Soldiers up calling cadence, no doubt about to head out on a run. I should be running. Well, not now. Not this early, but I definitely should be running. I just had a dream I was running in fact. It was a good old two (02) mile run, the last of the three (03) events which make up the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Push-ups and sit-ups are the other two (02) events. I wasn't running the two (02) miles on a track or even a conventional course. I remember finishing at sixteen (16) minutes (a horrible time) and letting the timer (SSG Newby, who I worked with in Korea for a time and later for seven (07) months in the desert last year.) know that the door, which led to a corridor, or detour which had been part of the run route was locked so I was forced to go around the building, instead of through it on my last lap.
And I was apparently running with two (02) other Soldiers (Lee and Forgy) who never showed up at the finish line. They no doubt figured that since the door was locked, the run was going to be invalid anyway, so they decided finishing didn't matter. Now I think that since it was the four (04) of us involved in the dream, that it took place last year in the desert. But this building and everything around us wasn't in the desert, but in the dream world, a totally different environment altogether.
I suppose I should not have eaten a bar of chocolate at 10:30 before crawling into bed. But what a boring waste of subconscious imagery.
In any case it is not time to be awake just yet. Maybe I can fall asleep again and have a dream which makes a bit more sense, or is at least a tad more interesting or fun.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2004
5:22-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts."
-- 01 SAMUEL 02 : 07
I have a lot to do if I want to be prepared to head out of here come the 15th of next month. Well, the first thing I must get in order is my leave request. Yes, I must get the Sergeant Major to sign a leave form requesting twenty-five (25) days. Everyone around the office says it is a lot of days, but there is not too much doubt in my mind that it will be approved. Of course, it is not fully up to me, so I'd be a fool to simply take the act it will be approved for granted. I'll have to pitch my want to take so many days leave. But in the end I think I'll get the approval.
But I should know whether or not I'll be taking a road trip to Texas in a couple of weeks by the day's end tomorrow. As I mentioned though I have to do a little preparation to be prepared. An oil change, tire rotation and alignment, and a thorough cleaning will prepare my baby to hit the road when the 15th rolls around. And hopefully I'll get my new taillights in with enough time to have them installed. Aside from that I need to buy a few things for the trip. Basically the preparations for my baby are the most important things to take care of. I'll have to schedule the installation of her taillights tomorrow. I can always cancel if they do not arrive in time, or take them along with me if they arrive the Monday before. No worries really, I just can not get things mixed up and forget to do things. Working here, especially the past month and a half, has taught me to write things down and ask questions and clarify until details are crystal clear in my mind before proceeding.
Tonight I'm definitely getting out of the Army when my enlistment is up in March of 2006. My mind has been changing back and forth but this evening it is definitely in an "I am going to get out." mood. I just need a change and a break from the familiar. And while I'm not as prepared to get out as I should be, I hope to work on getting to that prepared point in the next year. And quite frankly I do not want to be living the military life anymore. Sometimes I think about reenlisting, and want to. Some days I want to reclassify into a combat arms job and hit the ground running in a hostile country. Sometimes I want to put in a packet to be an officer, drill sergeant, recruiter. Some things in the Army do seem interesting. But tonight I feel that I just need to be a little more mobile, a little more free, ... able to pursue things that really make me happy. And while serving my country is something I take seriously and am honored to be doing (especially in a time of war and conflict) I feel it is time to move on. This evening I just want to head out when the time comes and see where life and my decisions take me.
I have never felt that I have failed at anything I have attempted, whether I was into it or not, so I'm not too afraid of failure outside of the Army. But moving from high school (and living with my parents) to the Army, well, in a sense I'm still a bit sheltered. True I'm working hard to get the things which come my way and I have done well for myself in many environments and situations since I have been an enlisted Soldier, but still I wonder how I'd fare if things weren't a given in my life. Would I be able to make it working for a paycheck which wasn't guaranteed every two (02) weeks? Would I be able to meet deadlines and accomplish important tasks? Would I be able to learn and apply learned skills to enrich a path towards a career? Eh, maybe. Maybe not. Probably, but I'd definitely like to see. Because the military is a different lifestyle and world altogether. There are different things to worry about in the military and different things to not have to worry about. It is just different. But this evening I want to witness and experience those differences myself. So this evening I want to drive out of here in a little over a year, head to California or Texas and see what I can do in the civilian world.
Tomorrow I may change my mind, and I may in fact decide to reenlist before to the next year is up. But this evening, I have had my fill and I'm in a moving on and moving out mood.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2004
10:14-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."
-- Romans 12 : 09, 10 & 15, 16
I have returned from Texas!
That is right, I headed down to Texas to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. I could not post anything about it because my parents frequent my website and well, it was a surprise. My desire to be a "pop in" kind of person overcame me and I just could not resist making last minute arrangements to head home to surprise the family when I returned from Washington D.C. earlier this month. I had not posted the entry on the 22nd until today and didn't update the November calendar (to the left) until today either, for those of you not playing along at home. But since I have returned I thought it only polite to let those of you who missed me know where I had been for the past few days.
I left for the airport around 9:30 Tuesday morning. My flight was to depart just before noon. I didn't board the plane until after 12:00 and wasn't airborne for quite a while after that. The delay on the ground (waiting to hit the runway) was long indeed. The captain let us know that there were at least twenty (20) planes ahead of us and that we would probably not get into Houston until around 5:00 that evening, well after I had to make a connection at 2:38. We waited for about an hour on the ground, in the plane, waiting our turn to take off. When I finally arrived in Houston it was almost 5:00 and I figured I'd have to wait to catch another flight to Harlingen. But after speaking with a person at the Continental desk, I found that the flight had not even left yet, and that numerous flights were held up or had been cancelled because of the weather.
The airport was a madhouse: people were on cell phones complaining about delays, lying in the halls, it was hectic. But after five (05) gate changes, and a few hours, I was boarding a plane for Harlingen. I'd arrive around 9:45, more than six (06) hours after I was to arrive according to the flight I booked. But I wasn't too discouraged. I can handle airport delays and such and have had to wait in airports for much, much longer in the past. I was pleased that I was getting on a plane the very same day. And besides, I was heading to Texas to see my family, who had no idea I was on the move. So the anticipation kept me from going insane about the flight delays, gate changes, and the separation of my shoe from it is sole while walking in the Houston airport. But nothing meant life or death. I mean a little patience, walking, and super glue solved everything.
The plane touched down at 9:15. I was in Harlingen, in striking distance of home. Fortunately my duffle bag made it onto my flight and met me at baggage claim. So I slung my duffle and headed out the doors. I thought to call someone for a ride or take a cab but those thoughts didn't really stick. I knew where home was and guessed it wasn't too far of a walk. So I tightened the straps on my bag and started my trek home at 9:45. I stopped once to grab a bottle of water and ask directions to make sure I remembered the way home. All in all it wasn't too bad of a walk. When I reached my house I had been passed by two hundred ninety-five (295) vehicles, including two (02) police cruisers, three (03) taxi cabs, and two (02) ambulances. (Later my brother told me that he had seen me walking. He was in one (01) of the ambulances on call.) I headed to the side of the house, put the key in the lock, turned it, and was officially home. My plan was to head to the restroom and get some sleep. When I opened the bathroom door and discovered everything had been torn out, that changed the plan. I was so taken aback by the fact I was staring at nothing but floor, ceiling, and wall studs that I just had to walk into my parent's room and say something. (They had mentioned remodeling, but I didn't think the bathroom would be torn completely out.)
Boy were they surprised to have me standing at the foot of their bed asking where I was supposed to go to relieve myself. MOM asked me if she was dreaming and I was so puzzled by the straight forwardness of her question that I just answered "no." Five (05) minutes later the house was awake. SARA had arrived the day before and MOM went to wake her up. My soccer playing sister didn't believe I was home when she woke her up and told her. But I think she believed it when she saw me in the hallway. All in all it was an interesting trip, but very much worth it.
My walking from the airport seemed to be more of a shocker than the fact I was there at all to my parents and to people at church when they were told on before and after the Thanksgiving Day church service. It was only eight (08) miles or so. I didn't really plan to do it, it was just the way home, and so I headed home. There was no feeling of being stranded when I arrived at the Harlingen airport. It took me just over two (02) hours to make the trek from the airport to home with my thirty-five (35) pound duffle bag on my back.
It turned out I'd be able to head to San Antonio to watch my home town's high school football team play in the Alamo dome. They had finished the regular season undefeated and were headed to San Antonio to take on a San Antonio team. So Thursday we went to church and had Thanksgiving dinner at our church's fellowship hall with other members. It was different to say the least but I kind of liked it. And potluck style is always a good thing. Someone made the best sweet potatoes I have even tasted: they were topped with pecans (or maybe walnuts, no, probably pecans) and brown sugar. So when they were finished they were topped with a nice baked brown sugar and pecan crust. Good. So I ate my fill and enjoyed the company. It was pretty cool. And a lot of people enjoyed being able to meet and have Thanksgiving like that at the church.
So Friday morning the family piled into the Suburban to make the trip to San Antonio to watch the home town team play. It was a rough trip in the car. I wasn't too psyched about doing more traveling after I had just traveled to get down to south Texas. But I was very interested in watching to undefeated San Benito Greyhounds (that I had read and heard so much about from family) play. The game was a pretty large disappointment. The Greyhounds didn't show any of the style of play they had displayed to get them there, undefeated. Smithson Valley just rolled over them. I'd have liked to head all that way to see a good contest and not see a team get trampled. But it was a sad game indeed. Nothing clicked for the Greyhounds. I'd have liked to see them with their starting players in the game and the team at their best.
Luckily, I had no weather delays getting back. And now that I'm back in Alabama I'll put in my request for leave next month, this time for many, many more days. So I'm hoping I'll get that leave approved and will be able to trek down to Texas again in only a few weeks.
Heading home for Turkey Day was definitely worth it. Definitely.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2004
10:38-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"As JESUS was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' JESUS said, 'and I'll make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. JESUS called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him."
-- MATTHEW 04 : 18 - 22
Today I experienced the quickest workday to date. It just flew by. I could not believe it was 2:30 the first time I thought to look at the clock, thinking about calling it a day. And nothing was going on at all. SHEILA's phone only rang a couple of times all day long, and that was amazing. It is usually ringing off the hook.
I spend most of the day talking with her and FELICIA about this that and the other. And since the Sergeant Major wasn't in, he wasn't tasking me out here and there. But again, everything about the day screamed "This will be a long day," but it wasn't. Even the fact I'll be leaving for home tomorrow morning didn't succeed in making the day drag. And I'm extremely excited to head home to surprise my family. I have not been home for Turkey Day since I joined the Army. So it will definitely be a different experience, visiting for a week over Turkey Day holiday.
Going down to Texas wasn't in the plans months ago, I just figured I'd do it when I returned from Washington D.C. I was able to get a cheap ticket and leave approved, so I could not resist. And I need the break too. A handful of days off back home will do me some good. I'll leave my baby here though. It will be really different not having her around. Because I'll have her but just not have her with me. It is going to be a different feeling of non mobility when I'm home this time. Other times it came down to me just not owning a vehicle. But I know she will be just fine. She was fine when I went to Washington D.C. She will survive. And I'll more than make up for it by taking her down to Texas in December, just a few weeks after I return to Alabama on the 27th of November. I just hope the Sergeant Major approves my twenty-five (25) day leave request. I think he will though. He can live without me for a little less than a month, even though I do amazing things around the office. Ha, okay, that was a bit of gratuitous egotism. I apologize. Well, no, not really. To by missed is to be appreciated. And to be appreciated is something I appreciate. And well, that can be appreciated and respected right? Right.
PINKY is not feeling well. She had some dental surgery done this morning and called me around 3:00 to say that she was headed home with a numb mouth and pain killers. I asked her if she needed anything and dropped by after work to check in on her. She was feeling pretty sick to her stomach, but insisted she would be fine. She will be, she is tough. And a little vomiting will not keep her down and out. But I know she will try and do a whole bunch of stuffage at home and not just rest ad relax as she should. But hey, I'm stubborn too. I'll pop in on her in the morning to say "see ya later" and see that she is okay.
I am now hoping MOM and DAD stay put. I'd be in a world of hurt if they had left somewhere for the holiday and I was left to get into the house and just chill out all by myself. That would be awkward indeed. But I suspect I'll be doing the Turkey Day thing at church. In our churches newsletter, it was said that our church was having it is first ever Thanksgiving dinner for people who didn't have families or had nowhere to really go to get food and fellowship. So I suspect the pastor (my DAD) and the pastor's wife (my MOM) will be there. No biggie. It is all the same to me, I'll be home with family and good food. I think my sister, SARA, will be down from Austin too. I always get a kick out of seeing her.
Well, bed time now. I'll have to stop myself from doing the knee jerk reaction of uploading this now, for fear I'll ruin the surprise. So you will be reading this at the earliest Saturday evening when I return. No, I'll not be taking my website files on the road with me to south Texas. Although during Christmas I think I may put them on a portable hard drive and bring them along for the ride.
Well, until next time. Love.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2004
10:47-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey Him. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which He confirmed to them by oath."
-- Deuteronomy 04 : 29 - 31
"In The Calm"
Point Of Grace
In the calm of Your presence
I am listening, Lord
I am still, I am quiet
I am Yours
In the calm of Your presence
I am listening, Lord
I am still, I am quiet
I am Yours
May Your Word speak to me
Let Your Spirit draw near
I will obey
The truth that I hear
In the calm of Your presence
I am listening, Lord
I am still, I am quiet
I am Yours
There's a thirst in my soul
For Your wisdom divine
I long for the peace
And life that I find
In the calm of Your presence
I am listening, Lord
I am still, I am quiet
I am Yours
I am still, I am quiet
I am Yours
I am Yours
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2004
4:33-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"JESUS said to them, 'I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I'll raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.'"
-- JOHN 06 : 53 - 56
I have not been able to get back to sleep since ERIKA called me just after midnight to talk. She was upset and I was just a phone call away. I was pleased she felt that I'd want nothing more than to be woken up in the middle of the night by my phone ringing and an upset friend on the other line. ... Because she was correct. I do want nothing more than to be woken up in the middle of the night by friends who have dialed my number because something is bothering them or just to talk. I love it. I say again, I love it. Believe me, it pleases me to no end to know that my friends realize maybe I'm as crazy in love with them and our friendship that I do not mind being their friend at 1:00, 2:00, or 3:00 in the morning just to talk. That is what friends are for after all.
So I have been up thinking (But then again, I'm up thinking most nights so that is nothing new.) for the past couple of hours. And of course, I have been thinking about my place in this world and my life, who I am, who I was, who I want to be. You know, all of the cosmic stuffage there is to question regarding self, self-worth, self-esteem, etc.
I suppose for some reason twenty-three (23) is seeming more than just a year older than twenty-two (22) and while I'm still not "old" by any accurate definition, I often struggle with the way I have managed my first twenty-three (23) years of life, specifically the four (04) years andsix (06) months (or so) since finishing high school. If you have been a follower of postings and "events" at this website from day one (01), ... well, first of all I applaud you. Secondly, I feel sorry for you because it would mean that you have followed and had faith in the life of someone who has not yet learned how to, ... well, let us just say that if you had followed things here (and on a couple of other previous "versions" of this website) I feel obligated to apologize for your wasting precious moments of your days for the past seven (07) years. No, things have not really changed all that much.
I essentially still operate in the same boring fashion.
This morning (as I do about every other week) I realized how blasé my life is and has been for the past few years. After I realize this, I think of ways to change, then realize I know what I need to do, then realize that I have no drive to do them, then get frustrated because I know the answers to the questions, then I feel empowered and motivated, then I get discouraged again because when I come back to reality I realize a week has passed and I'm still in the same little dingy just bobbing back and forth in the ocean, not really going anywhere. (Oh yes, it is 3:00 in the morning so grammar and sentence structure is out the window. So do not pick apart that last eighty-five (85) word sentence and let me know that it is all wrong. Thank you.)
Often I feel as though my life is falling apart or is empty, but then think that I hardly have enough of a life to be able to have it fall apart.
Usually I can just rationalize my way out of my heavily contemplative moods (those that concern myself and my life and it is direction) and conclude that eventually I'll "get my act together" and make things better for myself, really do things with my life. But this morning I stopped telling myself it would eventually be okay and substituted a different coping skill: I have decided to compare myself with everyone I know around my age. Maybe if I adequately size up my friends, I'll make myself feel better. Okay, so ...
ME:
I am twenty-three (23) and have been in the Army for a little over four (04) years. I have been promoted rather quickly, been to a handful of foreign countries, and through a war.
THEM:
CHRIS is graduating from a university very soon and has been with his adorable girlfriend now for almost three (03) years.
(Okay, no graduating and no degree. Girlfriend? Ha, right.)
ADAM's first born will turn a year old and him and his wife are very happy, living in upstate New York. He enjoys what he does in the Army and is content.
(I am still very single. I hated upstate New York and have always been antsy in being in the Army. But I'm out of there now and things are pretty good.)
LUKE is a West Point graduate and is schooling to learn how to fly choppers. He is a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
(I'd not have lasted one (01) day in West Point. But I graduated Basic Training, PLDC, and a few other schools and know more than any Pointer grad. Ha!)
Okay, not too bad. I'm feeling pretty good about myself. I have been to some great places and am pretty successful in the Army. Not bad. Okay, bring on round two (02):
ME:
I have about enough credits to be a sophomore if I were in college. I have been working on a book off and on (more off than on) for the past six (06) years. And I have aspirations to be an actor/writer.
THEM:
RICHARD finished college a while ago. I have heard he did it in about three (03) years and is now in his second year of law school.
(College? I have some credits. Law school? I still have no real idea what I'll end up doing.)
RATH is a very accomplished web designer, a college student majoring in graphic design, and has a very loving fiancée. She also has a tight knit circle of friends and family around.
(HMMMness, no special anyone in my life. I'm a novice web designer and have no real friends nearby to visit. Well, one (01) friend.)
NA manages a bank and is one (01) of the best story tellers and creative minds I have encountered. She is a self taught creative writing genius.
(The only thing I manage is manage to successfully clutter up my room on a regular basis. Genius? Well, you can call me that, but excuse me if I do not respond.)
STEFFANEE travels with her husband participating in world relief projects all over the world. And just recently announced she was officially fluent in her fourth language.
(The Army tells me where to go. But I did go to war! Languages? English and bits and pieces of a few languages, but definitely nothing that would get me out of any trouble with foreign police.)
HMMMness. That wasn't as good as the first round. Maybe I should give up this comparing stuffage. But maybe I have not dug deep enough. Of course I have not, I have to be over looking some stuffage. Okay, one (01) more go around:
ME:
I have about enough credits to be a sophomore if I were in college. I have been working on a book off and on (more off than on) for the past six (06) years. And I have aspirations to be an actor/writer.
THEM:
ADRI recently secured a job and will soon move into her own place once the new year begins.
(I have not have a job outside of the Army since high school. And I have always been a barracks Soldier, so I have never lived in a place with more than two (02) doors in it, one (01) of which was the entrance and two (02) which was the restroom.)
ELAINE is in University studying computer science. She is a talented web designer. She creates fabulous clothing and cosplay costumes all by herself. And she manages an online store to sell her homemade wares. And she is nineteen (19).
(I can not think of one (01) thing I really know a good deal about. I have not been able to muster the drive to be good at anything really. I do not produce anything or have a hobby driven by my own creativity or self-expression. And I'm twenty-three (23).
ABIGAIL and her husband just moved into their dream home he helped design after returning to the States from a vacation in Singapore. She will give birth to twin girls in February. And she is about to complete a Master's program. She is twenty-four (24)
(Yeah.)
Okay, that didn't work out too well. I definitely do not feel much better. I feel proud of everyone else now. And sadly a tad bit of envy.
Final Score:
THEM: Perfect!
ME: Hopelessly lost and way behind.
What would it mean to be truly content with who I am?
In the Bible, after Moses delivers the Israelites from Egypt, these people are taken into the desert on their way to what GOD has called the Promised Land. Along their way Moses (with GOD working through him) performs miracle after miracle to remind them that GOD has been faithful and good to them. GOD even provides bread which literally falls from the sky when they complain of hunger. It rains down in such abundance that it is impossible for them to gather it all up before GOD sends even more. And what happens then?
Why the Israelites complain of course. I mean really, what would you do if you were delivered out of years and years and years of slavery and were witness to the miracles of the Divine? Of course, whine like a spoiled brat because you would be tired of the miraculous bread raining from the sky. And not just that but you would compare it to the vegetables and meat you had while in Egypt, ... while in slavery.
They were on their way to a wondrous place to live out their lives as a free people. They were guided by a good leader and watched over by the Divine. And GOD showed his power and love for them time and time again. They were free. Forget the parting of the Sea, forget the pillars of fire, forget the plagues and bread falling from the sky, ... they were free. Free! And yet, though taken care of (and did I mentioned freed) they are disappointed (upset even) because the menu offered only one (01) entree?
Absurd is it not?
But, ... so am I. I too think the menu, well, sucks.
This is not to say I have lived a bitter life for the past four (04) years. On the contrary in fact. Things have not been all peachy keen for four (04) years straight but I have had times of utter happiness. And lately I have been happy, pleased, glad in fact to be where I'm all things considered. But this morning I was just not so content and well, I was thinking that the menu was getting a bit redundant. I have sampled the appetizers, eaten the entrees, and devoured all the whipped topping topped desserts in sight. I was thinking (as I have numerous times in the past) I was ready for something new, something more.
But when we live in a place of discontentment, we essentially say to GOD, "This menu sucks." We refuse to see that we have been blessed beyond measure. I for one (01) can remember many times when I thought my menu sucked and it sucked a whole lot worse than it does now. But essentially I'm still sending GOD the same message in these times as I was when things were really bad. Again, we refuse to see that we have been blessed beyond measure; not by the standards of society, but with gifts uniquely designed for and given to us. Blessed with that nose. Blessed with those dimples. Blessed with those hips. Blessed with our careers, our families, our friends, ... And still we stand in the middle of this abundance of "bread" at our feet (which just fell from the sky) and have the nerve to put in a request for a burger. "Hold the tomato, please!"
We didn't arrive here on Earth by accident. And if we didn't do so by accident, then there was a plan to us, to you, to me. In other words GOD spent a lot of time (well, maybe just the time it takes to blink) and work designing us to be exactly who He intended. He knew us before we were one (01) part sperm and one (01) part egg. He knew we were coming even before our mothers knew that the man who held the door open for her a year ago while on a business trip to Tokyo would end up moving in eight (08) blocks away, end up splitting a cab with her and eventually popping the question just two (02) months later.
There was a design, there is a design, and there will forever be a design. He knew the precise moment the condom would break and how late little Ivy's period would be. You weren't a mistake. GOD is never caught off guard by us. And GOD never forgets to include this or that in us. How dare we suggest GOD forgot to give us long black hair or gray eyes instead of boring old dark brown, acting talent instead of being a natural playing the cello.
"If only I had been born into a rich family."
"If only I was good enough to play pro ball."
"Why wasn't I named OPRAH?"
The list goes on and on and on. ...
"What's up with all of this bread? Cows can not fly, let's have some of those falling from the sky. Medium-well with maybe a light salad."
How devastated the Artist must be who completes a masterpiece only to be met with an eraser. How broken-hearted the Director who's film is stopped during production because it just doesn't fit with what the company is going for. How painful the Sculptor to unveil His greatest work only to have it met with a tarp that wants to drape and cover it. How hurtful to GOD, who breathes life into every one (01) of those dimples and brown eyes and big hips and five (05) foot one (01) frames and says we are beautiful, only to hear us say, "No, please, try again, you got it wrong."
How painful for the Giver of all gifts to sit and watch as we reluctantly open our packages, and wistfully stare across the room wishing we were tearing open someone else's presents. He has chosen so specifically what is good and right for our lives, and we are just hoping He enclosed a receipt, so we can return it, or at least exchange it.
But I know this much.
The grass will never, ever look green on my side of the fence until I spend the time to water it and trim itand fertilize it and help it grow. And when it is lush and green at my feet, I'd be a fool not to play in it, run through it, and lay on my back, staring up at the starry night sky. I'd be a fool not to say, "thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you," until I'm not even aware of the grass on the other side of the fence. Until, in fact, I forget there ever was a fence in the first place.
Contentment is in the "thank-yous"
It is the recognition that we are blessed, simply because we are. It is the means not the end, the trip, not the arrival. It is easing up a bit on the goals and lists and staring down expectations.
Contentment is resolving to not start sentences anymore with, "If only ..."
It is thank you, thank you, thank you, ...
And maybe it is what I have begun to learn how to acquire these past six (06) years or so. And now that I have recently turned twenty-three (23) I now know that all I want for my birthday next year is more of the same. Yes, plain old bread from the sky.
"Thank you. Thank you so very much!"
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2004
11:13-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "WAIT FOR ME"-REBECCA st james Transform
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."
-- Colossians 03 : 05
"Wait For Me"
REBECCA st james
Darling, did you know that I
I dream about you
Waiting for the look in your eyes
When we meet for the first time
And darling, did you know that I
I pray about you
Praying that you will hold on
And keep your loving eyes only for me
'Cause I'm waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
'Cause I'm waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait
Darling did you know
I dream about life together
Knowing it will be forever
I'll be yours and you'll be mine
And darling when I say
"Til death do us part"
I mean it with all of my heart
Now and always faithful to you
'Cause I'm waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
'Cause I'm waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait
Now I know you may have made mistakes
But there's forgiveness, and a second chance
So wait for me, darling wait for me
Wait for me
Darling wait for me
'Cause I'm waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
'Cause I'm waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2004
6:53-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "CHANGE MY HEART"-CRYSTAL lewis Fearless
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for GOD's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I'll repay,' says the LORD."
-- Romans 12 : 14, 17 & 19
Saturday!
I managed to survive the work week. I wasn't too sure I'd make it a few times, especially Wednesday evening when Thursday's and Friday's tasks and events were quickly approaching. And I almost fell asleep last night while wait to retire the colors. It was pretty bad indeed: A bunch of civilians and retired military personnel drinking and having a good old time, while the color guard waited to retire the colors. But hey, I survived and have been in much, much worse situations. So all in all, it wasn't bad at all. No problem!
I have no plans for the weekend except to head to PINKY's later today to have a car washing party. My baby is filthy. So I need to give her a good once or twice over and really get inside and clean the interior out. And well, PINKY has free water. Ha! Other than that the plan, as always, is to work on clean my room up a bit. But I do not really expect that to happen. I'll give it a shot though. Laundry of course, and taking care of my ironing and uniform for next week. But mostly, I'll use the weekend to just relax. And that I know I'm able to handle.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2004
11:44-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"But he replied, 'LORD, I'm ready to go with You to prison and to death.'"
-- LUKE 22 : 33
I just put my uniform away and showered. I have not been back from the Officer's & Civilian's Club (OCC) for more than two (02) hours. We finally retired the colors just after 10:00. And yes, I'm exhausted. This is definitely a work week that I'm proud to have finally put down. But one (01) that required more focus and energy than I have had to expend since I have been here. ... And though tiring, I love it. Sitting at a computer at work while having so much go on around me just is not my thing. I have to have projects going on and things to do too. And besides, I'm here to help out whenever and wherever I'm able. So I do not mind being asked to do most things. I'm happy to help out. Ha! I can not help but think of the plaque SHEILA packaged with a few sheets of bubble wrap and squished in-between two (02) pieces of cardboard. She mentioned how resourceful I was in making and wrapping that box today. But as I said, that is what I'm here for. I have to remind her of that often. And to stop thanking me quite so much.
We all met at Barclay hall to load the van with the flag staffs and stands and equipment and were off to the ROCC a few minutes later. When we arrived SSG Butler let Lee and I know that things weren't going to really begin until 6:30 or so. That wasn't something I wanted to hear. But really, I wasn't too surprised as SSG Butler usually gets us there with more than enough time to watch an entire movie before hand. BLAH. But at least this time we weren't waiting outside in the sun for the event to begin. So at around 7:10, everyone began to put down their glasses and file into the ballroom. It turned out that it was a Dining Out. So there would be much banter and joking and mock "procedures" going on throughout the evening, and yes, more drinking. Much more drinking. Luckily, we three (03) were given an area to eat away from the main ballroom. KEKE was our personal waitress. The food wasn't bad and KEKE was nice, even though she was having to run back and forth because of a shortage of staff.
SSG Butler and I spoke with SPC Lee about the promotion board. He mentioned he was going in December and would then be off to Korea. So we talked about both things before becoming a bit antsy. We had been finished with our meal for quite a while. It turned out that the Dining Out was a big hit, which meant no one (01) was in too much of a hurry to leave. I thought I was going to fall asleep standing out in the hallway waiting for the retiring of the flags to be called. Finally, at about 10:10 it was time to head in and retire the colors. We were in and out pretty quickly as we were plenty tired. And as soon as we hit the door we were casing the rifles and sheathing the flags.
I called PINKY to ask her how she and AJ liked The Incredibles. I wanted to go with them but I had no idea, beforehand, just how long I'd be at the OCC. Needless to say, the movie began and ended long before we were out of the OCC.
But the food was free, ... and this time good.
Another week put down. Thank GOD I was able to make it through without incident. Things are moving along quite smoothly. And now it is bedtime.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2004
9:20-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "CITY OF SORROWS"-FERNANDO ortega Storm
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."
-- DANIEL 12 : 03
Well the Soldier/NCO of the Quarter Luncheon was kind of cool. It was weird having just one (01) recipient of the title. And the NCO was from last quarter at that. There was no Soldier for the first quarter and no NCO nor Soldier for the second quarter. So it was all about the NCO of the first quarter.
I was there to help present the awards and plaques and such. As people were arriving for the luncheon, I spotted a familiar face in the flock of Soldiers and civilians pouring into the Officer's Club ballroom. He spotted me too and a few seconds later I was shaking hands and greeting my First Sergeant from my AIT days, the first time I was here at Redstone. Now a Command Sergeant Major, he asked me how the Army was treating me, commented on the fact I had both been deployed and been promoted three (03) times since he last had to deal with me in AIT. I had emailed him to apologize for being such a pain and such back in AIT, and he had said that if he was ever headed to Redstone, he would email to let me know he would be in the area. Well, he didn't email and I surely had no idea he would be in the area, ... it was a nice surprise indeed to see him again and thank him face-to-face.
SHEILA asked me afterwards if I was going to compete for NCO of the Quarter. I told her that after seeing all the donations and prizes and such offered to the winner by a host of sponsors I just may have to give it a shot. And there are tons of sponsors who support just about everything that goes on here at Redstone. I could not keep up with how many free stays he received from various hotels and check and gift certificates for other businesses and organizations. If I do compete however it would most likely be during the fourth quarter. That way it is not too long of a wait for the Soldier of the Year competition. The only thing is I'd have to win. Ha! It would be kind of funny to be working with the Post Command Sergeant Major and so close and part of all of the events and not win. I mean I'd not be expected to of course but it would be odd helping to set up the luncheon for the quarter, knowing I didn't win. Because I do not think the secret would be kept from me very long. I order the Soldier/NCO of the Quarter (and year) pictures and take them down to graphics to be made into posters and framed. So I mean, I'd have to win. Ha!
Bosses Night went well. We had a fair showing. I'm sure we would have had a better showing had we given better notice and gotten tickets out sooner, but I'm going to push for better notice for everything in the future. I was so exhausted during the night. And I had been to the Officer's club about ten (10) times during the week, half of that number just today. I had a great conversation with LESLEY during the event. I had to escape for a bit. It wasn't really my scene per se, but since I played such a large part in organizing it and such (lots of "such"), I figured I'd arrive early and see how things were set up, and hang around to see the turn-out. I could not stay until 7:00 though. I was tired and just wanted to relax and not be in boots of BDUs any longer. So I snuck away about a half hour before it came to an end.
Now all I have to look to for tomorrow is a graduation ceremony in the morning that I'm to drive the Sergeant Major to. He will present coins to the graduates. This little happening was also something that I spent all of this week coordinating, mostly via email. I'm so glad that everyone was able to get on the same page. Sometimes the simplest of things can get muddled, changed, and complicated by people's schedules, etc. After the graduation ceremony, I'll go around to collect all of the Bosses Night posters that are posted in various locales on post. Then, tomorrow evening I'll slip into my Class A uniform and perform color guard duties at a dinner which is yet another event to be held at the Officer's and Civilian's Club here on post. But it will mean I get fed for free. Free food is always good. Well, it wasn't so good at a dinner we went to once at the Von Braun Center. The meat was stuffed with some kind of weird tasting, ... well, I don't know. It was all just weird. The mashed potatoes were good though. But I'd have settled for a couple of free Big Macs and a large Sprite.
I have almost survived the work week. This has easily been the most tiring and full week I have had since I have been here. I love it though. I'd rather have a hundred (100) things to do and take care of and follow up on and look into, than nothing much to do. Keeping busy is something I like very much and I like the kind of work I'm doing here for the Sergeant Major.
Four (04) days down and one (01) to go.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2004
9:55-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."
-- Proverbs 29 : 25
Just when I thought I might actually survive tomorrow and make it through this week, I find out that SSG Butler needs me Friday night to color guard at some dinner. I'm definitely going to earn the weekend. Tomorrow won't be so bad. I just hope there'll be a good turn out in the evening at BOSS night.
If that turns out okay, then getting the sergeant major to a graduation ceremony to present coins Friday morning and doing some color guard in the evening won't be terrible at all. The fact of the matter is that tickets and notice weren't distributed and given far enough in advance for the BOSS Night. I spoke with SHEILA about it and told her I intend to get a much better idea of when these events and functions are so that if I'm supposed to be coordinating them, they will be coordinated properly. And a big part of that is figuring out the facts regarding the event, getting the word out, and if need be injecting tickets into the post population in a timely manner. Tickets for tomorrow's BOSS Night weren't distributed until Monday. And that is just too late for people to sell them, not to mention people to make plans to attend. So yes, if I'm the planner and organizer and word-putter-outter, if it all begins with me after having taken instructions from the Sergeant Major, ... I'm going to do things the right way. So proper planning will occur the next time I'm to get the word out about anything.
The next event that is coming up will be an AMCOM organization run around the Sparkman Complex. The Sergeant Major tasked me with locating a map, identify the running route, make flyers, get the word out, and organize each section at the starting point on the day of the run. So I'm going to get going on that this weekend. I found a good map through one (01) of the people downstairs at the management office. It should do just fine. So I'll scan it, manipulate it a bit, and get it on a couple of posters and flyers with some nifty "Holiday Fun Run" message on it. It will be good.
I am exhausted. My neck and back hurt too. But those aches are probably from playing The Sims 2 for hours at a time. Yes, I bought a computer game. I'm not an avid computer gamer. I'll get a game out of the blue and play it for ridiculous amounts of time. It happens in spurts. My last computer gaming obsession was with Rainbow Six: Raven Shield & Athena Sword. Those were great. And now I'm playing The Sims 2. I do not really know why I purchased it two (02) days ago. I suppose I needed a change of pace. Funny how I have dedicated about ten (10) plus hours to my change of pace. Tsk. Tsk. It is an interesting game: I'll not like it and be bored with it one (01) moment, and be excited to begin playing the next. I suppose above all it is just fun to not only immerse myself in a different "reality" but be able to control that reality as well. I suppose that is the reason reality television is so popular. Well, except for the latter part about being able to control it, viewers are able to glimpse another's reality. But I'm not a big fan of reality television. I do not even own one (01) in fact. A television that is; I wasn't referring to reality. I suppose I do not own that either though, technically speaking.
SHAMAL was picked up for Sergeant. Sweet! After being promotable for about two (02) years (He had been boarded back when we were both in Korea, and I was still a Private First Class.) he finally made points. I let PINKY know whenI stopped by her work to say hey. She had called him before I remembered to do so, during his lunch break. He didn't sound as excited as we were for him, but I know he is happy. I'm very happy for him, he has deserved the promotion for quite sometime. But hey, there is nothing to it but to do it in this Army life. I'm glad he finally "wanted it" and did what he had to do to get it.
Well, I need to get on the ball ironing my uniform and shining my boots for tomorrow. It will be a busy day indeed with two (02) functions to attend. Of course I probably will not start on those two (02) chores for another hour or so. And I'll most likely not crawl into bed to sleep until midnight It is most unfortunate that though I know myself I still sometimes succumb to bad habits. In my defense I have not been staying up too late lately (Ha!). Of course knowing I'm going to have a long day and have to be a Soldier in the "public eye", I should be squaring everything away and getting into bed to get some shut eye. Of course I'll make it happen. Nothing will keep me from not doing what I have to do to show up at work tomorrow looking as I should. I suppose the Army has instilled some discipline in me after all. Or maybe just a bit more pride in myself. Either way, it really all boils down to the fact I'm sitting here rambling rather than doing what I have to do.
Night.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2004
12:55-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "CONSTANT"-Watermark Constant
"I know that My Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth."
-- JOB 19 : 25
"Constant"
Watermark
You alone are Wise
You alone are all Consuming Fire
And I want to press in to know
This God that so amazes me...
You alone are Good
You alone are the only Good in me
And because of the work of the cross
You've pursued my life and have loved me completely...
'Cause You go after every heart
You will not rest until we know
You are constant, You are constant
You go after every heart
And Your glory is in all the earth
But Your heart is for a people who will constantly be running after You...
You alone are Life
You alone are the only life I breathe
And because of your unfailing love
My life will be spent to know you completely
You go after every heart
You will not rest until we know
You are constant, You are constant
You go after every heart
And Your glory is in all the earth
But Your heart is for a people who will constantly be running after You...
If I ever find my life, then I've lost it
For there is nothing more to life
Than to lose myself while I'm running, running, running...
Running after You....
You go after every heart
You will not rest until we know
You are constant, You are constant
You go after every heart
And Your glory is in all the earth
But Your heart is for a people who will constantly be running after You...
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2004
11:37-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"'Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to GOD, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'"
-- Acts 26 : 18
Today was another long day, much like yesterday. As soon as I arrived at work I was off running errands. I literally walked in, went upstairs, and was riding the elevator back down to the lobby within what had to have been no more that a minute. Sergeant Major and SHEILA are both keeping me adequately busy these days. It is good stuffage though. I love it. It is funny though; they are throwing the easiest tasks at me and are impressed when I get the job done. SHEILA had a couple of things for me to take to the shipping building. The gortex jackets (which the guys and I took with us to Belvoir for the change of command) were packaged but a framed collage wasn't. So SHEILA packaged it in bubble wrap and taped it up between two (02) pieces of cardboard. No. No. And no.
I thought I could do just a tad bit better so I headed downstairs to the graphics department to do some hunting for a box which would accommodate the frame. The graphics people didn't have one (01) and neither did the people at the mail distribution room. But lo and behold as I was passing the janitor's room (on my third trip to graphics that morning) I spotted a box that I thought might be perfect. I asked the woman inside if I could have it and she said of course. So I brought it from the basement up to the fifth floor. Of course, it was too small but I thought if I opened up the top and bottom, I'd be able to tape them and use them to extend the ends. It worked. But it involved lots of tape, scoring the cardboard so it would fold properly, packing peanuts, brown kraft wrapping paper, more bubble wrap, and about two (02) hours of hunting and working altogether. But in the end I produced quite the handsome homemade box. SHEILA was blown away.
I suppose I should have explained that I had plenty of practice with boxes and packaging while working in Korea (filling in for the Supply Sergeant we didn't have) and from months of selling things via EBay. I was tempted to head back to my room and get my packaging and strapping tape. But I managed with what I had there in the offices. Sergeant Major apparently got an earful of what I had done while I was away running errands in the afternoon because he mentioned it around 4:30 before I called it a day. He was impressed too.
Yes, that was all a big pat-myself-on-the-back-fest. I ran a bunch of errands and made a box. There you go. But that was just so plain and short and straight-forward. Maybe it was just a day better witnessed than read about. Anyway, it was a busy day. And the week is definitely not up. The last couple of weeks work will culminate Thursday, the day of the Soldier/NCO of the Quarter Luncheon and BOSS Night. They are both at the Officer's and Civilian's club Thursday is going to be busy. Very busy. But once Thursday comes to an end it is all pretty much smooth sailing until the next tasks/events/etc. come about. I suppose the next "thing" is the holiday run Sergeant Major wants SGT Gola and I to organize for the 10th of December. Nothing major. We just need to map out a course around the Sparkman Center for everyone to run a couple of times and get everyone organized at the starting point. Too easy.
I should really get to sleep. I suspect tomorrow will be busy. Monday was. Today was. Wednesday may as well be busy too. And Thursday will be a bonafide knock down drag out. And besides this is all rambling, ... terrible (exhaustion soaked) rambling.
No more. Night.
And of course, my server is unresponsive. I suppose I'll have to wait to upload.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2004
8:57-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "HOW GREAT THOU ART"-CECE winans Throne Room
"'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'"
-- JOHN 14 : 27
I was going to head to Dairy Queen to get some ice cream. How I found myself at Denny's ten (10) minutes later I have no idea. So, since I found myself at Denny's I figured I'd have dinner. I didn't go overboard, this time ordering a single meal and simply tacking on toast.
Now I'm back in my room doing a little bit of ironing before bedtime. Well, not really "bedtime" per se, but I need to get to bed before too long. I have an early morning tomorrow. And well, I have not really been doing anything productive when staying up oh, for the last few years. Ha! So yeah, lately I have been hitting the sack around 11:00 or so to read for a half hour before calling it a day. (But for those of you who think to call, do not hesitate, I welcome being brought out of sleep to talk to friends. So by all means call at midnight or 2:00 or 4:00 in the morning.)
Well, back to ironing. Just a short recap.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2004
4:07-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "BURNIN'"-NICHOLE nordeman Wide Eyed
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ... but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
-- JOB 24 : 15
Here's a shocker: It's not yet past 10:00 at night and I have laundry in the washer. For some strange reason I decided to get up and be productive today. I headed over to the office to move the flags and equipment from the Venture to the big blue van. I suspect I'll drive the Sergeant Major to the Officer's and Civilian's Club tomorrow morning for the board. He said we would meet at the office, pick up the Soldier's packets, and then head to the Club. So it sounded like we will be going together. While I was transferring the equipment I noticed the van was a little on the dirty side. So after filling up the tank (I noticed it was half full on the way to the wash point) I gave it a nice bubble bath. A couple of contract security guys were there washing their cruisers. One (01) of them started talking about the Tennessee game. I didn't really get all that he was saying. But I didn't want to burst his bubble by letting him know I do not have a television and do not regularly follow football.
I parked the van, hopped into my baby and headed for PINKY's. I wanted to drop off a few movies I borrowed as well as a cap and a couple of game boy games AJ's friend left in the van Thursday. She wasn't home. I guessed she was still up at her sister's house. So I let myself in, put the DVDs back in their place, left the cap and games, and came back to my room-sweet-room. I put a couple of loads of clothes in the washer. So I'm officially ahead of the game, taking into account when I usually begin to prepare for the work week. And while I didn't put much of a dent in cleaning up and organizing my room (at all), I'll most likely work on it while listening to music. I need to shave my head yet too. I may as well do it now, while I'm waiting to head downstairs to transfer my laundry from the washers to the dryers.
Later.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2004
8:41-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"And GOD said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
-- Genesis 01 : 03
I am craving an apple minibon from Cinnabon. In fact I'm craving any kind of Cinnabon "-bon." Oh, if only Cinnabon were open this late. Of course maybe it is best they are not open at this hour because it would be too easy for me to head over there and pick up a couple of Cinnabons for a snack. And noone needs to be eating a couple of Cinnabons each night, regardless of the speed at which their metabolism works. I could just imagine how large I'd be if my metabolism were slow, or I was just prone to put on pounds. But never have I weighed more than one hundred fifty-five (155) pounds and seldom does my weight reach past one hundred forty-five (145) pounds. But even so, I still should be watching what I eat. Lately I have been thinking that I should cut back a little bit on the eggs and waffles with extra butter and the like and eat things which are a bit more healthy. Of course it is not difficult to eat things which are healthier than eating pancakes, eggs, french toast, pie, sausage, bacon, toast, and hash browns all in one (01) sitting. Ha! Yes, I have had some pretty large meals in my twenty-three (23) years here on Earth. And lo and behold I do not gain more than a couple pounds. Of course my level of health may be a different matter altogether.
I have not exactly been staying in the best shape since I have been here. So that is three (03) months without any kind of exercise. And besides that I have not gone to the doctor to get any kind or check up to check all the levels and fluids and such in my body. I can only hope everything is well and I'm not headed down the road to any complications, but in this day and age there are way too many things which can just sneak up on me without symptom or warning. The last thing I want to do is become famous and then die of a heart attack at thirty five (35). (Notice how keenly I sneaked my dreams of being famous in there. Genius.) So now I'm thinking I should head over to the hospital and ask about getting a full on check up, from the tips of my top of my head. I mean, this would be the ideal time and environment to do that; I'm in the Army after all, so I'd not be paying for it. So I think I'll begin to make that happen. I need to. And I'm anxious to know what kind of shape I'm in anyway.
In the meantime I'll begin to work out some sort of exercise program. It will not be anything fancy. I'll most likely buy a mat, maybe one (01) of those big inflatable balls, a jump rope, and a few free weights. I spend enough time sitting around doing next to nothing, I may as well institute some sort of work out regiment to do in the evenings. And of course I'll have to do some running. My father is now putting me to shame, having kept up with walking a few miles every evening since he had a heart attack years ago. Since I'm not doing anything nowadays I do not think I'd be able to keep up with him. Well, okay, I'll not go that far. Ha!
So that what has been going through the pea (my brain) lately. And it is not to look good. I mean, I look fit and toned, but that is just natural. I need to work out for myself, to get healthy and stay healthy and get checked out for the unseen things. Because really, life is not all that bad and well, I'd hate for things to take a downward plunge as a result of something I could have prevented. And okay, I'd not mind looking just a tad bit better.
I will keep things current here regarding the check ups and work out program. And of course regarding all the other boring things that collectively make up my current existence.
"JANELLE ...
... Thank you so much for calling this morning. That was a very nice surprise. I like how you said it seemed very natural and routine, when I picked up the phone and answered with a "Good morning." It was though. I was pleased that you called, you are my friend, and I feel very comfortable talking to you. So to see your name on my phone while I was reading in bed was to take a nice break to talk to a good friend. Thanks again. Hold on and hang in graphics designer. Later. And work on your website when you have the chance. I'm tired of visiting and seeing your "coming soon" message up there. It has to have been months since you first put that up there. It is time to bring it on again!"
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2004
1:15-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "GENUINE"-STACIE orrico Genuine
"For I command you today to love the LORD your GOD, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your GOD will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."
-- Deuteronomy 30 : 16
"JUBAILE, ...
... happy birthday! May this new year make you much more aware of the peace, calm, wisdom, and grace GOD has bestowed upon you every year before and that which he will bestow upon you this year and every year to come. I wish you the best in all that you do and in every aspect of your life. I just know you have grown into a wonderful young woman.
And I wish that one (01) day you will allow me to know the wonderful person that I know you have become because I remember the wonderful person that you were, ... and I know that between then and now, you have done nothing but lived, learned, and grown. I do not miss your blind admiration; I just miss your friendship and I miss my friend. I hope that someday you will be ready and willing to be my friend again and let me in. But for what it is worth I'm always just outside the door praying and hoping for you, ... and always your friend."
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2004
12:32-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "THE ONE I'M WAITING FOR"-Relient K Mmhmm
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own; you were bought for a price. Therefore honor GOD with your body."
-- 01 Corinthians 06 : 18 - 20
"The One I'm Waiting For"
Relient K
The way that girl can break a heart
it is like a work of art
And this is the worst part
She knows it
And she's so confident
She's what everybody wants
But nobody wants
Her to know that
So fall back on all of your premonitions
And just learn to listen
To those that have more wisdom than you
And just stop
Putting so much stock
In all of this stuff
Live your life for those who you love
And I'm still waiting for
You to be the one I'm waiting for
The way that girl can turn a head
Well she is such a threat
But don't ever forget
She knows it
And she's got it all
all figured out
And she will not let you doubt
She knows it
I am still waiting for
You to be the one I'm waiting for
I am still waiting for
You to be the one I'm waiting for
So fall back on all of your premonitions
And just learn to listen
To those that have more wisdom than you
And just stop
Putting so much stock
In all of this stuff
Live your life for those who you love
I am still waiting for
You to be the one I'm waiting for
Something tells me that this is going to make sense
Something tells me it is going to take patience
Something tells me that this will all work out in the end
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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FRIDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2004
6:52-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"'Behold, I'm coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I'll give to everyone according to what he has done. I'm the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.'"
-- Revelation 22 : 12 & 13
Ah! A "real" day off. I'll admit though, yesterday wasn't too awful. It only lasted a few hours. But having to get up and spring into action at 6:00 wasn't exactly my idea of an ideal time to wake up in the morning of a holiday. This morning I only have plans to head to the mall with PINKY. AJ is in school today. He was off yesterday and he obviously has the weekend off as well, but today, he had to go to school. It does not make too much sense since it if just one (01) day in the middle of three (03) days off.
Eight (08) year olds do not have so much on the line school wise; teachers and administrators do not have to cram in every single day into the school year they can. I suggested she just not have him go. It is not like he is there to finish a biology lab, or take a mid-term, or a final, or the GRE, or the MCAT. Nope. But on the other hand, school is important and knowledge is power and all that stuffage. Besides I know, especially after yesterday, that she appreciates occasional breaks from he kid and a little peace and quiet.
Well, we didn't plan to head to the mall until 10:00 or so. In other words I have more than enough time to crawl back into bed and get another hour or two (02) or good old fashioned shut eye. Yes, sleep, ... the classic kind.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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THURSDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2004
9:37-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"JESUS replied, 'If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.'"
-- JOHN 14 : 23
This morning wasn't a complete nightmare. It was more of an annoyingly bad dream that you want to wake from that keeps going. It was somewhere in between the feeling you get when you call out (or scream) in a dream without making a sound and the feeling you get when you have been completely embarrassed in your dream and you are able to actually realize it: "Wait a second, this is my dream."
Somehow I was able to wake up, and get up, at a quarter to 6:00 this morning and get prepared to take care of my morning business downtown at the VBC. It was a surprisingly smooth start and an hour later I was pulling into the parking lot of the Sparkman Center (building where I work) ready to transfer equipment from the big blue protocol van to my, much smaller white Chevy Caravan. That didn't take too long and I was feeling quite pleased with myself when I arrived at the VBC. So far so good, everything was going great. Of course it took me a good half an hour to have my "turn" at setting up. After trying fifty (50) doors to try and get in and having a security guard help me by banging on one (01) to get the attention of a woman clear on the other side of the building, waiting for the lighting guy to finish setting up his lights on the ceiling, and waiting for the guy with the carpet vacuum to make his way over to the area behind the podium, I was able to begin setting up. So I basically woke up early in the morning to spend a good half hour to forty-five (45) minutes of it standing around, waiting my turn.
I didn't panic when I ripped the little leather eyelet on one (01) of the flags. I merely asked for tape, received some, and did my best to manufacture my own eyelet out of duct tape. I did begin to panic however when I saw that the second flag didn't have an eyelet on it at all. So now, instead of worrying about one (01) flag falling off it is staff in the middle of the breakfast, I'd be concerned about two (02) of them giving up and letting go to slide down their staffs. So again I looked to the duct tape to secure the flags to their staffs and secure my worries. Fortunately, I have grown to become quite the resourceful person given shaky situations. As I was putting up the third flag a group of Soldiers came in and began putting up flags of their own. This was odd.
Since there were six (06) of them, plus an older civilian gentleman, they were able to get their flags up in no time. And their flags were already fastened to staffs, so they didn't have the eyelet tearing and disappearing problems to slow them down. Then came the confusing part. They had set up their flags slightly to the left of my nicely centered flags and their set included the U.S. flag and the Army colors. And having duplicates of each just would not do. The civilian came over to me and asked me to take down mine but to let him use my Army colors since their's lacked the Army streamers. These are campaign or war service credits awarded to units based on their participation in specific wars, campaigns or battles. The award takes the form of a streamer in the colors of the applicable campaign medal with an appropriate inscription for a campaign credit or without inscription for a war service credit.
So I whipped out my trusty cell phone and called CHARLES to thank him for putting me in a very confusing situation while he slept in. He basically said that we should not even be there setting up our flags because it wasn't really our breakfast at all. Of course that made me nothing but pleased about waking up and putting myself in such a situation. Oh, waking up early that is, ... on my day off. He suggested I call the Sergeant Major to get guidance from him. I did. By this time it was past 8:30 and a few people had already trickled in for the breakfast. I was out in the hall waiting for the Sergeant Major for a bit before I went back in to clear the things I was now not using from the hall into the back where the caterers were working. So now I had two flags (the AMCOM flag and the General's two (02) star flag) standing amidst their flags. And of course the two (02) looked painfully out of place because they were on light colored staffs with silver spear point finials while the American Legion's flags were on staffs which were a bit taller, dark brown, and crowned with gold spear point finials. Lovely. Fortunately, I insisted the Legion use their Army colors and simply add my streamers so there wasn't another staff looking different. By the time the Sergeant Major arrived the pledge had been said and the invocation had been given and the breakfast was officially underway. He peeked in and saw what I had described to him. But there wasn'thing we were able to do by that time.
Then I remembered I had told PINKY I'd watch AJ while she marched in the Veteran's Day parade. But I had to be at the VBC when the breakfast ended to take down the flags and load everything into the van. Fortunately, the parade's starting point was a block down the road. So I headed over there once people had gone through the buffet line and were back in their seats stuffing their faces. I explained to her and AJ that he would be doing nothing but sitting with me and waiting for the breakfast to end. So I scooped him up, headed back to the VBC, parked, and continued waiting. Then my phone rang. PINKY. She wanted to know if I'd be able to head back to the parade area to pick up a coworker's child to watch as well. I really wasn't in a position to say no, so I turned the key and headed back to the parade start area. I spied her, her coworker, and her kid from the road and waved him over to the van. He hopped in the back and I pulled up, backed up, turned around, waiting, doubled back, and did just about everything you can (have to) do in a van in the middle of buses and vehicles and pedestrians walking everywhere to get ready to begin the parade, to get headed the opposite direction again. So we were back at the VBC, parked, and waiting. It took about five (05) minutes for the two (02) boys to get rowdy and impatient. So there I was on Veteran's Day, waiting for a breakfast to end, with two (02) smart mouthed eight (08) year olds whining about leaving and not having fun. Little did they know I was tempted to do just that myself. I went in to get them a couple of danishes from the breakfast spread. AJ declined his, so I was more than happy to dispense of it for him. I had not eaten because of the rush and the worry of what else would go wrong. But at this point I figured that I did all I could do and things would be as they were. But we made it. I went in and out about four (04) different times to collect my flags and such, each time fearing they would jump out of the van and begin running around or firing their cap guns. The last thing I needed was to go to work Monday morning after one (01) of them had run into the general with sticky, danish hands or something.
Pizza Hut. It seemed like a good idea at the time and I made the stupid mistake of thinking I'd like to go and then asking them if they wanted pizza as I was driving by. Of course they wanted pizza, they were eight (08). But when that little ordeal was over with I realized that what they really wanted wasn't the couple of pizzas I bought, but bouncy balls from the stupid little machines, the ability to run around Pizza Hut, and to fight and scuffle in their seats as pizza sat getting cold on their plates. I watched all the other kids in the restaurant head to the buffet and come back with plates of food, quietly eat, and not run around the place and spending money on bouncy balls. But surprisingly enough they didn't cause any trouble and didn't spill their drinks once. I was so relieved when PINKY called as I was pulling out of the Pizza Hut parking lot to tell me she was finished. I told her I'd meet her at her house after I had headed to the Sparkman Center to drop off the van and pick up my baby.
So seven (07) and a half hours or so PINKY and I slumped on her couch to watch recorded episodes of court shows, utterly exhausted. She told me how tiring it was marching in the parade and I rolled my eyes and kept the fact that I'd have loved to trade places with her for the morning to myself.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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WEDNESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2004
8:52-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "ONLY HOPE"-Caedmon's Call Back Home
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling blocks in your brother's way. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification."
-- Romans 14 : 13 & 19
What a day. Oddly enough I have only used that phrase as the beginning of a posting twice in the past. (If you can find both instances you will win a prize.) But today was definitely "what a day" worthy.
The Sergeant Major says he is going to be tasking me out much more often and giving me "jobs" to do. He says he will use me much more often. I hope he does. I hope he really, really brings it on. I can only surf the internet and catch up with news so much during a work day before I begin to get restless at my desk.
He is of course having head down to the graphics department to have them prepare flyers and posters for events and gifts and such. It seems like I have been down to the graphics department (in the building's basement) every other day. But it is good, it gets me up and moving. I'm also supposed to prepare some binders for him with cover sheets and dividers and such. So I'll be getting to do a little desktop publishing and such as I put that together for him. It will be one (01) of many he says. But what kept me at the office into this evening was the simplest tasking: to pick up the tickets for the BOSS night on the 18th from the Officer's and Civilian's Club. Well, when I arrived to pick them up, I noticed the price was incorrect. The woman told me they didn't have the necessary resources to print more tickets by the end of the day. I signed for the tickets and was on my way. The Sergeant Major wasn't satisfied but there wasn'thing really that could be done.
I didn't really like the tickets at all. They just didn't have flair. The Officer's and Civilian's Club was abbreviated "ROCC" and I didn't think it looked too good. So "eh" I'd have loved for the people at the "ROCC" (BLAH) to take them back and do the printing once again. But there just wasn't time. A representative from the club did call however to apologize for the mistake. She offered to have me run them back and help correct the mistake with correction fluid and a pen. I had been driving here and there all day long, all around post, and didn't feel like driving out there again. So I collected a bottle of correction fluid and started changing the price of each ticket from USD$5.00 to USD$5.50. I'd make that correction two hundred (200) times before I decided to call it a day, take the remainder of the tickets with me, and finish them over the weekend.
Yes, a long day indeed. And I do not even get a full day's rest tomorrow. Yes, it is Veteran's Day and I'm not scheduled to work, "officially". But I'll be doing some work in the morning. But it is not routine work. I'll be setting up flags at the Von Braun (Convention) Center tomorrow morning. Apparently there is a Veteran's Day breakfast to be held at the VBC before the parade today. And while I'm not protocol, somehow I'm setting up these flags on my own, on my day off. I still don't know how I ended up with this task. But hey, it should not take too long. The only think that makes me sigh is the fact I'll have to wake up early in order to drive over to the Sparkman Center, change vehicles, and head to the VBC in plenty of time to set up before the 9:00 breakfast. CHARLES said he would leave all the flags and equipment in the blue van downstairs for me. But I'm not too keen on hopping into that blue behemoth and taking it downtown. So I need to arrive even earlier because I'm planning to move the flags, staffs, bases, and other equipment from the big, blue, hundred (100) passenger van to the Chevy Venture I drive as the Sergeant Major's driver. So I'm suspecting I'll be waking up sometime very soon after 5:30 in order to arrive at the VBC around 7:15 in order to begin setting up.
And since I want to be alert and ready for anything, I think I'll turn in early tonight. In other words, good night.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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TUESDAY 09TH NOVEMBER 2004
10:52-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "WALLS ARE TUMBLING"-DEITRICK haddon Crossroads
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'"
-- 02 Corinthians 12 : 09
Because REUBEN posted a Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" (or "Real American Heroes", pre-September 11, 2001) commercial on his AIM away message, thus reminding me of how much I get a kick out of the radio commercials, I tracked down a website and downloaded the more than fifty (50) which were listed. So yes, I spent about an hour and a half hour listening to them all and some just over and over again. A few of my favorites are "Mr. Fancy Coffee Shop Coffee Pourer", "Mr. Pickled Pig's Feet Eater", "Mr. Really Stinky Breath Breather Outter", "Mr. Edible Underwear Maker", "Mr. Really, Really, Really Bad Dancer", ... I think my favorite one (01) has to be "Mr. Furniture Assembly Manual Writer," or "Mr. Silent Killer Gas Passer." I'm almost to the point of posting a link to download them. Yes, I find them that entertaining. I'll make a couple of CDs full of them though. Weird? Yes, downright ridiculous. Downright.
So somehow I managed to get myself into waking up early Thursday morning, driving to the office, transporting flags and such to a convention center downtown, and setting them up where they need to be. So I went from being told to help out with set up for some event Thursday morning to setting up for the event myself. No big deal really, but I wasn't planning on waking up before 6:30 on a holiday to get some flags and stuffage to a convention center. It is not my job. I do not mind helping out but this is like "doing it," not "helping." all in all though it is cool. I like to head across the hall and help the folks in protocol with ceremonies and the like. The protocol people are the people who set flags up and assign seats and prepare scripts and do a bunch of behind the scenes and preparation work for ceremonies and events within (and sometimes without) the AMCOM organization. And yes, somehow I managed to get myself into getting a bigger taste of what they have to do. So as of now I'll be setting up flags for a breakfast Thursday morning. And you can bet that when I'm finished there I'll head right back here and crawl into bed for some more shut eye.
Very soon after (Yes, "shut eye" will most likely be out of the question or last for all of a half hour.) that I'll head over to PINKY's to watch AJ while she marches with her organization in the Veteran's Day parade. Thursday. A holiday? Ha! But I'm flexible and enjoy lending a helping hand. And besides it is not like I had made any plans.
I still have not forgotten to post about my Washington D.C. adventure. Maybe I'll take the time to do that tomorrow. Or hey, I may as well slate that for Thursday and just try to pack that day full of stuffage to do. Why not? Long day though and Sergeant Major had a lot of tasks for me today (which is good, I enjoy staying busy) so I need to hit the bed very soon. I'll be up a little earlier than usual to be to work by 8:00. But of course, all is well, no worries, no complaints, ... everything is simply peachy!
More tomorrow. Night.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 08TH NOVEMBER 2004
9:32-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "WALLS ARE TUMBLING"-DEITRICK haddon Crossroads
"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of GOD's one and only Son."
-- JOHN 03 : 18
QUEEN said she hoped that I'd be able to finish my meal when she set it all down on my table before me. Little did she know that it wasn't my first encounter with a table full of plates loaded with breakfast foods. And as calmly as I pleased I finished my meal of French toast, pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Of course if you are a regular at any Denny's restaurant all it boils down to is a French Toast Slam with a side of pancakes, a side of toast, and a glass of tea. Yes, ordering iced tea has become an almost knee jerk reaction when I'm at restaurants. Maybe it is because I want to feel prepared when I'm offered to order a drink so ice tea is always the first drink to come to mind. I mean, most restaurants have it, so the only other option is "sweet?" or "unsweet?" if I'm in the southern region of the Nation.
She checked on me a couple of times before bringing me my check. Of course I wasn't finished. Maybe I was trying to make her eyes grow just a tad wider at the sight of a one hundred forty (140) pound guy (who does not look a day over sixteen (16) years) eat "so much food"; but either way I ended my meal with a glass of milk and a slice of Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. All in all it was a good dinner and a nice closer to a BLAH Monday.
CHRISTINA rang me up at the register as I was leaving and offered me a code and a toll free number to call in order to take a Denny's survey. I'd be entered to win USD$10,000.00 once I had taken the survey. CHRISTINA (whose name tag simply identifies her as "CHRIS") I had seen before I headed to Washington D.C. I wondered then why she was working at a Denny's and I wondered why again tonight. The thing is I wonder why anyone works at Denny's I suppose. And for that matter I wonder why anyone works anywhere. But I especially wonder this while at restaurants and food establishments since I frequent them so often.
I ponder the set of circumstances in a person's life that led them to want to apply for, begin, and continue to work somewhere. But it is not a bad thing and I do it without judgment. I'm just intrigued and curious about people's back stories I suppose. I could only postulate that she is a student or a military spouse. But I think I hit the nail right on the head with "student". So until my curiosity overwhelms me one (01) day while sitting in a booth at Denny's, CHRISTINA will be a student working to pay for college or pay off her car or just for a little extra spending money.
I wonder if any waiter or waitress I have had has ever pondered my circumstances.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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MONDAY 08TH NOVEMBER 2004
11:32-AM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
Listening - "HIGH OF '75"-Relient K Mmhmm
"You believe that there is one GOD. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder."
-- JAMES 02 : 19
I awoke with blood all over my pillow and face this morning. Some of it was dried, but most of it was quite wet as it flowed out of my nostrils. It seemed I had cut the inside of both of my nostrils in my sleep. I suspected the talons I have for fingernails were the culprits. My suspicions were confirmed when, after I headed to the bathroom to wash my face, I noticed dried blood underneath my fingernails. Ever since I stopped biting my fingernails years ago I have not been in the habit of regularly cutting them down, so often grow rather long and are tough. And usually I do not cut them until I break one (01) or two (02) or get fed up with scratching people as I shake their hands. So tonight I'll cut them. I was thinking about getting a manicure. Maybe I'll make that happen over the four (04) day weekend.
Work has been nothing special today. As soon as got in I headed out to track down all the mail I had received while away last week. I didn't bother to taste test the brownies MOM sent for my birthday. But it is the thought that counts.
I do not foresee much to do this afternoon, so it should be a pretty 'lax day at work. Of course, I'm not complaining because I have had more than my share of busy, hectic, ridiculous days in the Army. So my afternoon will most likely consist of settling things in the wake of this TDY to Washington D.C. and making sure I have my voucher done and sent off and such. I suspect tomorrow and the next day will be just as "quiet" at work. So I'll be slipping quite comfortably into a nice four (04) day weekend. I'll need the four (04) days to do a little organizing and rearranging of my room. It is a mess. I'd hate to have someone pop in and see my room in shambles. So beginning Wednesday evening I'll tidy things up in my room, maybe buy a movie or two (02) to watch in order to keep me going.
I imagine I should head out to get something to eat before returning to work. I should really start buying groceries to keep here in my room so that every meal is not one (01) involving me having to get up, get dressed, and drive somewhere, which eight (08) or ten (10) times ends up being some place offering nothing but "fast-food". A couple of sandwiches would do just fine right about now. I should incorporate a grocery list into my weekend restructuring so that I'll have something on hand when my hunger is at odds with my laziness and want to not spend so much money all the time. Of course, it is tough to keep food in my room since I often head to the 'fridge for a "snack" about a hundred (100) times a day.
I discovered a much easier way to update certain things on my website. It has significantly reduced the amount of time it takes to refresh every single page once something changes. So it may take me ten (10) minutes to update a section and update each page to reflect it, when in the past it would take me closer to maybe a half hour. And to think I had been doing it the "old way" for so very long. It is funny how learning occurs sometimes. I'm still doing the same stuffage, but now I'll be doing it faster and much more efficiently.
Peace be with you always. And may GOD continue to bless you.
Faith & Confidence
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SUNDAY 07TH NOVEMBER 2004
7:32-PM-(UTC/GMT -6 Hours)
"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to GOD as those who have been brought from death to life; ... For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
-- Romans 06 : 12 | | |
