tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-257543402024-03-07T17:06:02.560-06:00the kernals are poppinCurrently in the US Army. I have recently found myself on the list to be shipped to iraq come fall. I am going to use this as a tool to keep in touch and talk about things I find interesting ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-89981186257669449382008-02-16T19:34:00.003-06:002008-02-16T19:42:38.552-06:00... back in business ... kindawell i finally got internet in my 6 by 10 foot living space ... i just love these barracks ... anyway i have alot of catching up to do and seeings how i have 4 straight days off i shall be doing all the catching up i can ... be back soon ...<br /><br />one disturbing thing though ...<br /><br />while in the dfac eating a meal (i dont call it food but apparently the army does ... btw i HAVE to spend $250 a month to eat the dfac ... ) they had the news on ... some marine civilian person came out and said that they are finally buying in to the MRAP's for iraq (IED proof trucks for soldiers) ... they said that they hadnt adopted the MRAP's earlier cause they cost too much ... COST TOO MUCH!!!!!! the leading cause of deaths / injuries are IED's ... and you say that it was too expensive to buy IED proof trucks ... so basically you are saying it cost to much to try and keep the soldiers safer in iraq ...<br /><br />i almost threw up right there on the spot ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-56380354933946832612008-02-02T22:05:00.000-06:002008-02-02T22:18:09.319-06:00this is getting old ...Thank you again everyone for sending well wishes my way!!! I cant thank you enough!!!<br /><br />So from the moment I stepped foot off the plane back home up until the moment I step foot back on a plane to texas, I can say that I couldnt of had a better time here at home. I had the chance to see alot of my family and friends, I attended some hockey games, and I ate and drank like I hadnt had real food in over a year ;) ... so I knew that I had to go back to texas and I can honestly say that its going to be almost as hard to leave tomorrow as it was when I was going back to Iraq. <br /><br />All these goodbyes are getting old. Being home for so long I was able to get back into a grove and live like a normal person (thats not in the military) ... and now I have to leave it again to head back to the stupidity that we call the greatest army on the planet (it is, but i still hate it) ... all I want to do is wake up one morning and not have to be in the army any more ... its getting old ...<br /><br />I am going to try and treat tomorrow like just a normal day ... like its not a big deal ... I already have my next trip back home planned ... but once I get on that plane and put on my head phones its gonna hurt ... and thats getting old!<br /><br />by the way ... georgie boy approved our pay raise ... let me tell you its a good thing he did!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-16796092197098798412008-01-06T22:26:00.000-06:002008-01-06T22:31:49.616-06:00HOME SWEET HOME!!!It feels sooooo good to be home!!!! Sorry for not posting a little earlier but I needed some chill days with the family ... as soon as I catch back up with the 21st century I will be back in full blogger mode ...<br /><br />I wanted to thank everyone who emailed me and sent me well wishes ... it really means a lot to get emails from people who are supporting you and it really helped me get through one of (if not the) toughest years of my life ... I really cant thank you enough!!!!!!<br /><br />again, thank you everyone out there for keeping me going and I will be back in full blogger mode soon!!!!!<br /><br />Happy Belated New Years!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-68002659655420740862007-06-09T16:59:00.000-05:002007-06-09T17:05:24.172-05:00back alreadywell i have found myself back across the pond already ... my time home was short ... but it was sweet ... i <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">thoroughly</span> enjoyed myself ... it is hard coming back though ... you get back into the rhythm of not being here ... it was nice ... now i get to look forward to seeing if we are going to get extended for sure and to see if i hit the jackpot and catch a duty station close to home ... i just wanted to say thank you ... i have been lucky as to having a great family and friends base and i consider all of you my friends ... i thank you for your support and words of wisdom ... it really helps ... well thank you again ... i will check in later after i get back into the soldier frame of mind ... once again ... thank you!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-8311768382591239802007-05-27T07:26:00.000-05:002007-05-27T07:37:17.687-05:00home sweet homeI just wanted to let everyone know that i am currently home for a couple weeks ... its a nice needed break ... although too short ... not that i take much for granted but i have found that i really miss all those little things ... driving a car without having to wear body armor ... being able to walk into walmart and get whatever i want ... being able to see my friends and family ... being home everyone always asks "hows everything over there" "what do you think of the whole thing" ... the general questions that everyone asks ... but the conversation always ends something along the lines of them saying "well i thank you for what you do ... we truly thank you" ... and i usually end it with "thank you ... we couldnt do it without you guys ... you keep us going" ... for the first time i am truly going to realize what memorial day really means! so everyone enjoy themselves alittle extra for the troops that wont be able to ... i however have to drink roughly a 30 pack for all the "drink ones for me" ... but i figure its the least i can do for my fellow comrades ... happy memorial dayUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-56339851343068438302007-05-07T05:27:00.000-05:002007-05-07T05:30:42.951-05:00couple weeks later ...couple weeks later ...<br /><br />i thought i would never say this, but i am really glad to just be here watching the sun try and melt the sand. Its been a rough couple of weeks. Having to be in a lot of places at one time, enough paper work to last a lifetime, and of course having to please everyone. But i have finally been able to just find this spot and relax. And let me tell you if anyone bothers me while i am getting my swedish massage in my 1.3 million dollar bungalow i am going to get really pissed. Dont worry the bungalow came with a suite at the hard rock hotel and casino in las vegas. <br /><br />Its been about 3 weeks since i hit the lotto and i havent been able to really enjoy myself since. Having to get my lawyer and accountant situated, getting my investments set, making sure everyone is taken care of is alot harder then it seems. but finally my friends and i came to the conclusion that the hard rock hotel was going to be our vegas home. the sand bottom pool surrounded by beautiful women made the choice very very easy. not to mention the hositality the hotel has shown since arriving. we got the royal treatment since entering this place, we have been soaking up every second. <br /><br />i was able to use the "business center" of the hotel for my meeting with one of my best friends. he has his masters in architecture. he has so kindly designed my new house. i have always wanted a castle. now i am going to get what i have always dreamed. i was able to purchase 80 achers of river front land in my home town. i simple donation of 160 achers was needed to arrange that. i was glad to not only get the property but help protect my town from too populated too fast. my castle isnt going to be a real castle, but it will look like one on the outside. it will have gargoyles on the roof, a "mans lounge" with walk in humidor, bar, pool table, card table, and a projector set up on a 60 inch screen, and the house will also contain a pool with a gratto (playboy mansion style). along with those goodies next to the pool will be a barbaque pit, volleyball court, and a basketball court that will be easily converted into a roller hockey rink. those are the more important neccessities that were included but the house will be nice with plenty of goodies to come. i had to make sure though that the study/library contained a bookself that opened up to a secret room containing my vault and walker was more then welcome to include that in the blue print. <br /><br />for doing such a fantastic job on the prints walker was more then welcome to join us in vegas and enjoy himself a massage as well. we are relaxing this afternoon because tonight was going go get crazy. the concerierge at the hard rock was more then welcome to arrange a VIP club tour of vegas. everything was set up from our stretch limo to our designated tables at club playboy and the ghostbar at the palms, club RA at the mirage, and club tyrst at the wynn. the only thing was that we were going to have to end our tour at spot in the hard rock, but that was an easier decision seeings how they are going to pretty much rope off half the VIP section for us. the only real thing that was missing was the fact that we had to find some ladies. but spotting scott over at floating bar surrounded by ladies pretty much took care of that. i looked over at walker with his shit eatting grin and said "tonight is going to be nuts". "i know" he replied, followed by a quick clank of bud light bottles and a puff on the montecristos. tonight was going to be nuts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-66523625170569138632007-04-08T11:28:00.000-05:002007-04-08T11:47:49.432-05:00finally ...i have finally been able to log into my blogspot ... i have been able to surf around but for some reason i couldnt log in and comment or post ... after trying for 30 mins tonight i have made it in ...<br /><br />things here are pretty much the same ol same ol ... we have been alittle down because our red headed step headquaters unit (4ID ... we share ft hood at the moment ... they were supposed to move to ft carson) is coming back early ... im sure you have read in the news ... when they leave to come back they would have only been home for 7 months ... 7 months and they are coming back ... these soldiers are my friends ... and let me tell you they arent happy ... this is where its gonna get really bad ... start sending troops over here after being home for a short amount of time ... they didnt even have enough time to really recoup ... much less fix their vechiles and equipment ... this is going to pay a major toll on families ... it is really sad ... because i saw 4ID leave ... and now i am going to see them come back ... like i mentioned ... they were supposed to move to carson ... but they werent even home long enough to do that ... i am just saying ... things are going to start going down hill even faster ...<br /><br />but i am really looking forward to going home for R&R ... i really need a break from here ... i need to recharge ... everyone is pretty much at nerves end around here ...<br /><br />i think in another life i was rich ... i say this because well i was writing about hitting the lotto (btw i have tried to write another blog on that ... nothing good ... so i didnt post ... brain is kinda friend) ... i am fascinated with "luxury things" ... trips, cars, boats, houses ... i am not a materialistic person ... but i dont like to think that "only the rich do that" ... just to let you know i will enjoy a week stay at some remote Fijian island ... anyway i am starting to ramble its kinda late here ... hopefully i will be able to log and surf around on my day off tomorrow ...<br /><br />Happy easter to everyone out there in bloggerland ... oh and i got promoted!!!! im a specialist now ... my mom was happy for me ... but she let me know that i was always special hahaha ... night bloggerlandUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-73246196403860056832007-03-05T01:02:00.000-06:002007-03-05T01:31:37.371-06:00more not understanding ...First I would like to say that I have been trying to get on here for some time ... it seems that there is something wrong on my computer ... well the something is that I am having trouble logging on this site ... I have "forced" my way on ...<br /><br />well today was supposed to be my "day off" ... I say "supposed to be" because my commander was knocking at my door this morning telling me I had to go to the office to fix some shit ... it was nothing big ... but since it deals with computers everyone just throws their hands in the air and screams for my name ... I have a "backup" person but their response is "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ummm</span> i <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dont</span> know" ... so that does me no good ... but I fixed the problem and I have returned to my 5 by 5 living space ... on the walk over I was in a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">vegetative</span> state ... just numb ... I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dont</span> sleep well ... so I am tired, physically and mentally ... I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">received</span> my smallpox shot last week and I went into the doctors office the other day to get it checked out ... I figured that since I was there I would ask about my sleeping problem ... pretty much the doctor told me to try some things ...<br /><br />1) if you cant sleep get out of bed and do some crossword puzzles or something to make you tired ... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ummm</span> doc ... if I get out of bed I'm in my roommates bed ... there is no where for me to go ...<br /><br />2) if there are loud noises in your area, turn on your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">tv</span> to a low sound to try and drown out the noise ... WE ARE IN IRAQ ... mortars, helicopters, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">asdkja</span>;<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dfalkfja</span>;<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">df</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">AHHHHHHHHHHHH</span><br /><br />3) if there is some light seeping into your room, try and fix it ... well doc these high constructed living quarters have light coming in at all directions ... i would physically have to tape myself into my room ...<br /><br />bottom line all I wanted was some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ambien</span> so I could sleep good ... but instead I got a list of 12 things to try ... needless to say after getting to the third thing I ripped up the page and threw it away ...<br /><br />but anyway ... so I am here surfing the net on the couple hours I have to myself ... and I stumble across this <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17458428/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17458428/</a> ... pretty much it says there is no plan B for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">iraq</span> ... the marine gen said "and Marines don't talk about failure. They talk about victory." ... look buddy I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">dont</span> know where you have been for the last 4 years ... BUT THIS IS A FAILURE!!!! there is no backup plan ... I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">dont</span> even think there is a "good" plan A but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">geez</span> ... lives are at stake and trillions of dollars ... there should be some kind of plan ... at least 5 backups ... i <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">dont</span> get it ... i really <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">dont</span> ... sometimes I think I missed something along the way ... like there is something I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">didnt</span> get ... because this is all already gone to hell ... its only worse ... its not gonna get better ... i mean the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Iraq</span> president guy just said he was going to fire his cabinet in 2 weeks ... WHO GIVES SOMEONE 2 WEEKS NOTICE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE FIRED ... i mean come on ... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">you re</span> giving them time to wrap up loose ends and finish business ... and now we have to start all over again ... that means we are here longer ... now we have to get a whole new cabinet appointed and caught up to speed and its going to take forever!!!! funny i found this on another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">bloggers</span> site ... <a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20070124&articleId=4579">http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20070124&<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">articleId</span>=4579</a> and they say we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">aren't</span> going to be here forever ... but yet we are building a city here ... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">hmmm</span> ... great ... money well spent ... gives off the impression that we really want to hand things back over ...<br /><br />you know our country went through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">alittle</span> something something back in the day ... the civil war ... we had to fight it out ... it was a sad moment in our history ... but guess what ... one side won ... and because of that we have now have what is the united states of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">america</span> ... we went through it ... i think we should just let <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Iraq</span> fight it out ... its gonna happen anyway ... why put us in the middle ... but the funny thing is ... THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS ... so it will never end ... ever ...<br /><br />it hurts sometimes ... trying to figure this out ... i have been warned that trying to make sense of this could drive me insane ... but seriously ... how is this all happening ... why ... why wont they listen to themselves and the people and stop this mess ... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">hmmm</span> and we want to start a democracy over here ... turns out we have a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">tyrant</span> back home messing it all up ... thanks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">george</span> ... thanksUnknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-54632118898203661012007-02-27T12:59:00.000-06:002007-02-27T13:09:59.460-06:00Dick Chaney took a visit over here the other day ... not that I wish harm to anyone ... but I find it funny that at the sound of explosion he ran to the nearest bunker and there was a huge media storm making sure he was ok and blah blah blah ... ask any solider there ... they probably slept through it ... again ... it sucks it happened and I dont wish harm ... but geez Dick ... you cant let them see you scared ...<br /><br />On a good note ... TUA sent me a link to a story saying that some generals are prepared to resign if we attack Iran ... I am glad to see that some brass are growing "brass" ... it wont stop until someone stops Bush ... he has already given the finger to everyone and has stated that he is the commander in chief and he can do whatever he wants ... he laughed at congress for trying to stop him ... he just laughed ... I have a very bad feeling about this whole Iran thing ... I cant really say much ... I just dont like it ... and I really hope someone does something fast to stop it ... or at least get as many soliders as you can out of here ... cause once it happens ... its not gonna be good ... you thought it was bad now ... just wait until we are stretched even more thin ... dont like it one bit ...<br /><br />on a lighter note ... started my little story telling ... i might change up the way its written so if you see some changes ... just go with it :P but more to come ... good night blogger land ... I have some outgoing to sleep through ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-17271840462621728762007-02-27T12:55:00.000-06:002007-02-27T12:59:27.362-06:00day one ...*thump* *tud* I started to stir from my sleep, but I have grown accustomed to these sounds in the night. It’s funny what you can become used to when forced to deal with something. Being in Iraq has forced me to become accustomed to a lot of things. Then I heard the sound of some dog tags clinging together, the sounds must have woken my roommate as well. Then it dawned on me, "I’m not supposed to be here anymore". A cold sweat started to form on my skin, had it all been a dream I asked myself. Another *tud*. I stumbled out of bed and found the closet wall and looked for the light switch in a panic. It can’t be I said to myself, I'm not supposed to be here anymore. Then it clicked, the lights popped on, and what I thought were dog tags of my roommate where in fact dog tags, but to my Shi Tzu bosco. I sat on the edge of my bed and chuckled to myself. bosco still happy to see me, came and gave me a good morning lick to the face. Then I smelled it. Grandma was in the kitchen making coffee and that’s when I knew I was home. <br /><br />As I walked up the stairs from my basement room I shielded my eyes from the morning light. Bosco ran past me in hopes of getting a treat from grandma while she was in the kitchen. It was a little after 8 am. Hey that’s sleeping in as far as I’m concerned. I was greeted with a kiss and hug from grandma, as well as a fresh cup of dunkin doughnuts coffee. I addicted to coffee, I just don’t feel right without it. I sat and chatted with my grandmother for a little while, most of the conversation was about how glad she was that I was home and safe, as well as what I was going to do next. You see no one really knows how I got out of going back to the sandbox from R&R, except her. She helped me so that no one else would know; she helped me so that I could get this done in peace and quiet. Not even my mom and dad know that I don’t have to go back, for all they know I leave this afternoon and head back over. <br /><br />But today I am going to give them the good news. I don’t have to go back and in fact today is the first day. The first day to the rest of my life. The first day as a millionaire. The first thing I did when I got home for R&R was buy some lotto tickets. The jackpot was up around 450 million since out of the 8 states participating, no one had hit the jackpot in about 9 months. I figured since the army had a clause about lotto winning and big inheritances, I could get out on an honorable discharge and be set for life it I won. Turns out that during the commercial of American idol channel 5 news happen to run the winning numbers of the lotto, low and behold, I won. Grandma helped me get in touch with a lawyer, accountant, and helped me straighten all this out while leaving my parents out of the loop. I wanted it to be a surprise. We worked out a deal for the cash in hand lump sum with very little publicity. I’m just glad my dad skipped page 8 of the post that had my name as the winner. Anyway, last night before I went to bed and checked my account, there it was. My world savings account was 150 million dollars large. Turns out I was going to have a good nights sleep. <br /><br />Well I sat there chatting with grandma and then it really hit me. I took a sip from my coffee and I looked at her and I said, "Grandma, from here on out I can do anything. Things that "only the rich and famous can do". That’s me now. That’s us." "Just take a lot of pictures for me, randy. Have fun and take pictures. That’s all I want" she said to me. Little did she know I had a shinny new car already picked out for her. I don’t think she'll mind. Just then as I was flipping through the life section of the post when I came across an add for Las Vegas "come stay for the week and you'll never want to leave". I just smiled. <br /><br />The rest of the house started to awaken. My little sister had already made her way down to the couch in the living room and had the Saturday morning cartoons on. My mom had just walked in the kitchen and sat down next to me. She was happy that I was home but you could see it in her eyes she didn’t want me to go back. "Don’t worry mom. I have a feeling things are going to be ok." she replied "I hope so. Just promise me you'll be ok". With a smirk on my face "promise" came out with ease. I need to get moving though. I knew that the longer I sat there the more of a chance there was of my spilling the beans. So I got up and grabbed the keys to the truck. "Where you heading this early, you know you leave today" my mom shouted. "I gotta go see Scott before I leave. I have some things to take care of" I shouted back. From the sound of it my dad just turned off the water to the shower. I knew that I had to get going, or else I was going to be able to use the truck. <br /><br />On my drive over to Scott’s the world seemed to be lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t have a care in the world. It could have taken me 6 hours to travel those 15 miles and I would have minded one bit. I pulled up to his driveway, well his parents’ driveway. Scott is not only one of my best friends but he is also my business partner. He moved in with his parents much like I had, to save money while starting SMF. That’s what lead my to join the army, I was broke and had no self confidence. Turns out I got some change in my pocket and I plenty of self confidence now. But he was understanding and always said that there was a spot for me when I get back. Well I’m back, and I got some capital to put in the business.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-29013375998446138172007-02-08T11:21:00.000-06:002007-02-07T15:52:34.668-06:00things ...I just wanted to say that its crazy the things that you can used to when you have too ... while over here you "live" in certain moments ... you just go through your day hoping for the next one to hurry up and get here ... but you there are moments when you have to just zone out and be "normal" again ... those moments for me are when i get packages in the mail ... emails from friends ... letters you get from people you dont even know ... those are the moments when you just remember where you came from and where you are about to go ... i just wanted to thank everyone for giving me those moments ... a simple blog post ... an email just to say hi ... a package of goodies ... i thank you for giving me a chance to just sit down and be normal again ... it means more then you can imagine ... thank you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-65899305903099442582007-02-01T13:05:00.000-06:002007-02-01T13:21:00.928-06:00an idea that might help ...I came to realize (awhile ago but I am finally caving in) that I tend to think on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">negative</span> side of things since arriving in Iraq. I think i am entitled to it, but none the less its not really helping my situation. So to spare your eyes on reading more ramblings of how I think things are "jacked up" around here (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">don't</span> worry, this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">isn't</span> a promise to totally stop) I have come to an idea that might help me in a couple ways, as well as provide an enjoyable read and maybe some good ideas. As per prior posts I have mentioned that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> sleep well. Mostly in part that my brain <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">doesn't</span> stop thinking and creating ideas. Recently keeping me awake are dreams that almost everyone has had. Hitting the big one!!! Yes folks <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">that's</span> right, winning the lotto. I am hoping that by posting my ideas and thoughts will help me sleep easier but yet also take me away from my current residence. <br /><br />Hopefully everyone will get a kick out of my adventures as an instant millionaire and maybe chime in once in awhile with some good ideas as well. So I figure in the next week I should have settled with the state lotto, cleared taxes, and paid off my lawyer and I can begin my adventure. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Ahhhhh</span> I have a feeling that I might sleep <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">a little</span> easier tonight ;)<br /><br />stay tunedUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1461200385195388912007-01-30T07:01:00.000-06:002007-01-30T07:12:10.430-06:00day off ...I was lucky enough to have a "day off" ... i still have to go in the office and make sure all the computers worked and they really didnt need me ... felt good though to just lay around and unload ... just let the mind wonder off and see what it cooks up ... i apprciate everyones inputs and words of wisdom on here ... its always nice to get a unbias oppinion ... i just cant wait to go home on r&r though ... to see my family and friends ... not be here for a while ... thats pretty much where my mind wondered off to ... it was nice ... another good thing is that while on my day off i didnt have to sit in the office and read or hear about the goings on ... sometimes we all need a break from that as well ... especially after the news we recieved the other day ... we do business with some iraqies ... pay them for jobs they do around base ... for the most part they are alright to deal with ... just like you or me ... we had one guy who was especially nice ... very polite ... spoke english well and could do or get anything you need ... turns out someone found out that he was working with us and executed him in front of his family ... needless to say we knew things like this happen ... it just hits hard when the guy was in our office just 2 days prior ... he was a good guy ... so i guess this day off had some good timing ... let me think and dream about things ... but things are calming down around us at least ... we are in our groove ... days are flying by ... time is just melting away ... its almost feb!!! ... just a couple months away from going home for a while ...<br /><br />i hope all is well out there in blogger land ... i thank you all for reading and posting ... it really gives me something to look forward too! ... you guys make it easier ... thank you ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-18808246895229905542007-01-21T11:48:00.000-06:002007-01-21T12:10:21.512-06:00one day ...One day ... one day I'll wake up ... wake up and be able to live again ... live and do what I want ... make my dreams a reality ... hope and pray that I dont feel like I am crazy for being one of the only ones that think rationally ... I just want to wake up and not feel like this anymore ... I want to walk with that step ... like there is nothing that could stop me and I know it ... like the weight was lifted ... I want to hold my life in my hand and be able to mold it the way I want ... because I know I can ... I'm tired ... physically and mentally ... I'm tired of some guy just controlling his army and government like a kid just doing what he will ... for crying out loud he cant even put more then two sentances together without the help of a team ... I'm tired of the drones who cant think or do without being told ... I'm tired of hearing, "just do it, I know it doesnt make sense, but some guy that is golfing in kuwait said we have to do this" ... I'm tired of not being able to sleep ... but one day ... one day I will awake ...fully rested ... rested and ready ... one day ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-80184509475603446412007-01-17T14:00:00.000-06:002007-01-17T14:20:21.412-06:00i'm back ....well well ... sorry for the delay but i finally have paid the $65 a month and had hadji run me some internet ... so here i am back in the blogging world ... i would like to first thank everyone out there, you just dont now how far an email or listening to be blab about stupid stuff goes ... thank you again!!!<br /><br />But as for me its just another day ... they have me once again running around doing something else everyday ... it is however making the days go by ... well its late and if i start typing i will start running my mouth about bush and his idiots and then next thing you know it would be morning ...<br /><br />but anyway i will be roaming around the blogs to see whats new ... hopefully pictures and things to come ...<br /><br />again THANK YOU!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-20002222530722292332006-12-15T09:48:00.000-06:002006-12-15T09:55:40.032-06:00well wellso far qatar is boring ... but i'm taking full advantage of sleeping in and doing nothing ALL day ... its a much needed break though ... well email address was wanted ... <a href="mailto:randall.barletta@iraq.centcom.mil">randall.barletta@iraq.centcom.mil</a> ... for anyone that would like to keep in touch ... i am going to look into hadji net when i get back to my FOB ... hopefully i will then be able to update this whenever i want again (and post my rants and raves ... ) ... but all in all so far so good ... i'm looking forward to christmas ... it wont be the same (obvisouly) .. but its the last day our detachment will have off together ... we are just gonna sit around open a couple presents and laugh ... its just gonna make next christmas that much better!!! but i am going to head back to the couch and watch whatever movie is playing ... but like i said hopefully when i get back i will have internet so that i can read and share some stories and pictures ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1165940185155016762006-12-12T09:47:00.001-06:002006-12-12T10:16:25.160-06:00sorry for being away for so longi'm back ... well only for the day ... turns out that i cant access any "blog type" websites because they are "message/club boards" ... military is funny about somethings i guess ... but i am in liberty for the night ... i'm heading to Qatar for my 4 day pass tomorrow ... should be fun ... we can drink and they have different things we can do there ... hopefully on the way back to Taji i can hop on here to let you know how it goes ...<br /><br />but all is well i guess ... they have me doing 800 different things everyday ... it drives me crazy sometimes ... they have me doing computer work, contracting, imputing, supply, mail (i like this one), messing with humvees ... i'm sure there is one or two things i'm over looking ... i'm pretty much the bitch of unit ... but its making the days fly by ... although days are flying by, it always feels like monday!!! which is not good ... but i do have my own office were i can run and hide for a couple minutes and make my own coffee ... that also helps get me through the days ...<br /><br />its not really the work that drives me crazy ... its the no respect i get ... its the "oh he's a PFC so he can do it" ... when really its ... you dont trust anyone else to fly to baghdad and pick up 3.2 million dollars ... which by the way the movies have it all wrong ... ITS HEAVY!!!! ... its funny because people are starting to realize that i am smart and that i did start a business and that i really want to get back to maryland and continue it ... oh i got something good ... someone had sent us a forbes magazine in the mail ... well i was like oh cool i'll read this ... please believe me when i finish this story ... someone said "hey whats that magazine", "oh its forbes" i replied ... *confused look appears on the face of a fellow worker* ... someone else chimes in "oh thats a smart peoples magazine ... you wouldnt understand it" ... then they turn to me and ask "you really understand what they talk about in those magazines" ... i just had to walk away ...<br /><br />but thats what i have to deal with on an everyday basis ... it just hurts sometimes to think that i'm stuck in the army and a great oppertunity is passing by ... i'm gonna do my best to PCS to maryland so that i can work on my business while still in the army ... so we will see about that ... i just talk to the CSM for a brief minute and she said that she would look into it for me ...<br /><br />outside of work there isnt much going on ... we have started going to the gym after work and we have joined a flag football league ... we are undefeated!!!! there is a game tonight but i wasnt going to pass up my 4 day trip to qatar for a flag football game ... thanksgiving was ok ... we got out of work early ... and we get off for xmas so thats cool ... but anyway i added my anysoldier link to my links site ... if you would like i'll leave you with my email address ... well i hope all is well out there in blogger world ... i wish there was more for me to write but i didnt think i would get a chance to post ... so i dont even know what to say ...<br /><br />again i will try to get back on here while passing through back to tajiUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1165940171439936742006-12-12T09:47:00.000-06:002006-12-12T10:16:11.456-06:00sorry for being away for so longi'm back ... well only for the day ... turns out that i cant access any "blog type" websites because they are "message/club boards" ... military is funny about somethings i guess ... but i am in liberty for the night ... i'm heading to Qatar for my 4 day pass tomorrow ... should be fun ... we can drink and they have different things we can do there ... hopefully on the way back to Taji i can hop on here to let you know how it goes ...<br /><br />but all is well i guess ... they have me doing 800 different things everyday ... it drives me crazy sometimes ... they have me doing computer work, contracting, imputing, supply, mail (i like this one), messing with humvees ... i'm sure there is one or two things i'm over looking ... i'm pretty much the bitch of unit ... but its making the days fly by ... although days are flying by, it always feels like monday!!! which is not good ... but i do have my own office were i can run and hide for a couple minutes and make my own coffee ... that also helps get me through the days ...<br /><br />its not really the work that drives me crazy ... its the no respect i get ... its the "oh he's a PFC so he can do it" ... when really its ... you dont trust anyone else to fly to baghdad and pick up 3.2 million dollars ... which by the way the movies have it all wrong ... ITS HEAVY!!!! ... its funny because people are starting to realize that i am smart and that i did start a business and that i really want to get back to maryland and continue it ... oh i got something good ... someone had sent us a forbes magazine in the mail ... well i was like oh cool i'll read this ... please believe me when i finish this story ... someone said "hey whats that magazine", "oh its forbes" i replied ... *confused look appears on the face of a fellow worker* ... someone else chimes in "oh thats a smart peoples magazine ... you wouldnt understand it" ... then they turn to me and ask "you really understand what they talk about in those magazines" ... i just had to walk away ...<br /><br />but thats what i have to deal with on an everyday basis ... it just hurts sometimes to think that i'm stuck in the army and a great oppertunity is passing by ... i'm gonna do my best to PCS to maryland so that i can work on my business while still in the army ... so we will see about that ... i just talk to the CSM for a brief minute and she said that she would look into it for me ...<br /><br />outside of work there isnt much going on ... we have started going to the gym after work and we have joined a flag football league ... we are undefeated!!!! there is a game tonight but i wasnt going to pass up my 4 day trip to qatar for a flag football game ... thanksgiving was ok ... we got out of work early ... and we get off for xmas so thats cool ... but anyway i added my anysoldier link to my links site ... if you would like i'll leave you with my email address ... well i hope all is well out there in blogger world ... i wish there was more for me to write but i didnt think i would get a chance to post ... so i dont even know what to say ...<br /><br />again i will try to get back on here while passing through back to tajiUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1161182026456964362006-10-18T09:29:00.000-05:002006-10-18T09:33:46.466-05:00hey quick check inhope everyone out there is doing good ... im in kuwait now and we have a couple more days until we head up to iraq ... its pretty hot down here!!! but nothing to really report just kinda doing this and doing that ... staying hydrated ... right now the coolest thing i have seen so far is a heard of about 100 camels ... other then that we are just hanging tight and playing jokes on each other ... oh and spades ... we play alot of spades in our off time ... but anyway i just wanted to say hi and i will report once i get up north ... take care and again i hope all is well with everyone ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1160521852091971462006-10-10T18:08:00.000-05:002006-10-10T18:10:52.100-05:00T Minus hours ...well we are leaving in the morning ... EARLY morning ... sorry for not posting but I have been doing the last minute things and taking care of business ... I hope all is well out there in blogger world ... Next stop ... Iraq ...<br /><br /><br />ps - I am going to sign up my detachment for the anysoldier ... Ill have a link on my page for anyone interested ... thanks for everyones support and I will do my best to throw a quick post if I can to let you know I made it ... again ... Thank you!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1159141345182146752006-09-24T18:28:00.000-05:002006-09-24T18:42:25.193-05:00Setting in for the grind ...Well it was nice to see the family one last time ... Not much to do around here so it was kinda boring ... Just more of a lets just hang out weekend ... So I got one more week to recover ... I should be busy ... gotta get the passport started, take a placement test, movers are coming, pack, clean, and get the head right ... recovery is going very well and food is starting to go down a little easier ;) ... anyway just thought id say hi ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1158590584107251522006-09-18T09:33:00.000-05:002006-09-18T09:43:04.116-05:00sorry for the absence ...well my tonsillectomy went ok ... i guess ... its been a couple days and it still hurts to talk ... i did however get two weeks of leave :) so i am not complaining too much ... the pain isnt all that bad ... just very uncomfortable ... lots of icy pops!!! anywho ... i need to get back to bed ... i didnt sleep well last night ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1157979845682095082006-09-11T08:01:00.000-05:002006-09-11T08:04:05.703-05:00<img src = "http://www.photohome.com/pictures/flag-pictures/american-flag-2a.jpg" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1157852968719921072006-09-09T20:46:00.000-05:002006-09-09T20:49:28.733-05:00randoms ...sometimes when the sun shines<br />its as dark as night<br />and sometimes when the clouds are dark<br />rays continue to shine my way<br /><br />-<br /><br />i'm licked up so tight<br />so tight it hurts<br />i'm looking for the key<br />or any reason in sight<br /><br />-<br /><br />a smile when i walk in the door<br />a sigh of relief when i hold her tight<br />a giggle from a corny joke<br />a look ... a look that says everything<br /><br />-<br /><br />in my dreams i see it all<br />the life i want<br />the world i need<br />when it all wears off<br />and the beep fills my head<br />i shed a tear<br />and await for the following night<br /><br />-<br /><br />a heart to give<br />a world to make<br />a place of happiness<br />is all i have of me ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25754340.post-1157674352000645432006-09-07T19:04:00.000-05:002006-09-07T19:12:32.010-05:00amazing how things turn out sometimes ...sooo we had SRP today ... and so I get to the medical section and they start asking some questions and up pops the trouble I have been having with my tonsils ... let me tell you I got a scare ... she starts talking about non deployable this and non deployable that ... and sends me straight to the ENT ... well ... let me tell you I got seen and I have my surgery date set and I will be non deployable ... but for only two weeks so i'll be able to deploy ... pretty crazy ...<br /><br />ps - even though I'm still on profile ... I am starting to do pt and let me tell you ... HURTING!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1