Jamie the Javelina!
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After moving the wood-pile today I was pretty hot. But like all pools in Scottsdale mine isn't that warm right now... the plunge reminded me of the waters off the coast of Maine in the springtime. 
Once my extremeties were sufficiently numb I decided it was a good idea not to try for another cannonball off the diving board. Off to the gym then out to tour some of the bars in Phoenix with "Boston Jonny" and the Hilliker crew if I can keep up.
Once my extremeties were sufficiently numb I decided it was a good idea not to try for another cannonball off the diving board. Off to the gym then out to tour some of the bars in Phoenix with "Boston Jonny" and the Hilliker crew if I can keep up.
20051125
Cranberries and Confidants
I can't say I was pleased to head into work today after "G.W." pardoned two Turkeys but apparently forgot to give the federal workforce Friday off like the last 4 years.
I was happy to visit with my cousin Kristin who I haven't seen in about 15 years. Too much to catch up on at the dinner table with my Aunt Faye and the crew at her house. Not to mention keeping the four dogs at bay from the table. Dante was an angel the whole time. He usually is until someone leaves the room then he thinks it's carte blanche to drag any morsel of food - wrapped or not off of any counter or table. Luckily that didn't happen.
After taking a plate to my other Aunt in TUS I headed back to PHX. There I grabbed another amazing meal prepared by 'Boston Johnny' and ended up staying there for a while enjoying the good company and wine and of course lots of chocolate, almost (sorry I have to be honest John) the best Tiramisu, and some killer rasberry cheescake before finally heading back home.
A strange Phenomena that has started this week is becoming the 'confidant'. On more than one occasion this week someone has approached me (and sometimes quite obliquely) to confide that this or that person they are dating, engaged to, or currently seeing isn't the right one. Perhaps I am oozing some pheremone of the brokenhearted. Being in the tail-end of the "I'm over being depreessed still kind of pissed-off" stage of realizing my heart wasn't in the right place at the right time to start something. It must be some resonant connection that is attracting these folks to me. In one instance it was someone whom I met only once before. Maybe some people like to hit up a 'stranger' with this stuff because they think they'll recieve an objective response without knowing the history.
To everyone who catches this in time, I hope you all have or are having a great Holiday Weekend. (Hmmm.... Vegas actually sounds like fun, Ed) I think I am going to hit the gym then spend the night polishing off as much of Robert Jordan's latest as I can make it through.
Cheers.
I can't say I was pleased to head into work today after "G.W." pardoned two Turkeys but apparently forgot to give the federal workforce Friday off like the last 4 years.
I was happy to visit with my cousin Kristin who I haven't seen in about 15 years. Too much to catch up on at the dinner table with my Aunt Faye and the crew at her house. Not to mention keeping the four dogs at bay from the table. Dante was an angel the whole time. He usually is until someone leaves the room then he thinks it's carte blanche to drag any morsel of food - wrapped or not off of any counter or table. Luckily that didn't happen.
After taking a plate to my other Aunt in TUS I headed back to PHX. There I grabbed another amazing meal prepared by 'Boston Johnny' and ended up staying there for a while enjoying the good company and wine and of course lots of chocolate, almost (sorry I have to be honest John) the best Tiramisu, and some killer rasberry cheescake before finally heading back home.A strange Phenomena that has started this week is becoming the 'confidant'. On more than one occasion this week someone has approached me (and sometimes quite obliquely) to confide that this or that person they are dating, engaged to, or currently seeing isn't the right one. Perhaps I am oozing some pheremone of the brokenhearted. Being in the tail-end of the "I'm over being depreessed still kind of pissed-off" stage of realizing my heart wasn't in the right place at the right time to start something. It must be some resonant connection that is attracting these folks to me. In one instance it was someone whom I met only once before. Maybe some people like to hit up a 'stranger' with this stuff because they think they'll recieve an objective response without knowing the history.
To everyone who catches this in time, I hope you all have or are having a great Holiday Weekend. (Hmmm.... Vegas actually sounds like fun, Ed) I think I am going to hit the gym then spend the night polishing off as much of Robert Jordan's latest as I can make it through.
Cheers.
20051123
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V & I by the poolAhh, Life in Phoenix in November. Can't beat the weather now. Spent a really nice weekend at home for the first time in a while. Definitely one of the best weekends I have had here so far. Went out with some friends Friday. Saturday night we had a few rounds of poker and then out to check out the pending remodeling of a bar in Scottsdale. Sunday I had breakfast with my friend Ed and Velasco at this awesome spot in Phoenix, La Grande Orange . Spent the rest of the day relaxing by the pool reading Robert Jordan's latest. I am excited to see my cousin Kristin this week when I visit my aunt in Tucson for Thanksgiving. I haven't seen my cousin in about 10 years.
20051119
MMM... chiken
Dinner @ Pei Wei ... I'm enjoying dumping my diet and eating everything in sight! 185 lbs. here I come!
20051110
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The last day as an "LT". Contemplating this beneficial change. It's friggin' awesome! After spending four years as a "junior officer" this is a big octave change in the ranks. At the full time job I am constantly beating on the walls of very senior officers and having to educate them on policy and sometimes dictate what they should be doing. This is difficult to do as a jr. O. That's all they see. The rank on the collar. They forget that I represent and have the full backing of a one-star general.
This new level gives me a
little more clout when I have to head around and conduct OSHA inspections and instruct facilities on what must be fixed. The extra pay is nice, but it isn't a lot. Plus it just feels freaking good to finally make this goal. For the longest time I had some captain's rank pinned in the old Pathfinder then in the bimmer to remind me every day of the goal and what responsibility I will be stepping into. I replaced it with the gold oakleaf for Major this weekend.
During the promotion ceremony I stated what I have said many times. A lot of officers lose sight of the NCO's (sergeants) and lower enlisted. Having spent time as one has definitely helped me keep perspective. THEY are the ones who should get credit for every success of my unit. THEY are the ones who make me as a commander succeed or fail miserably. The unit has had some rocky days, but overall they are a great team. I am really proud to command them. I have about another year and 1/2 left in command and I already know I will miss it. These soldiers will always have a spot im my heart.
This new level gives me a
little more clout when I have to head around and conduct OSHA inspections and instruct facilities on what must be fixed. The extra pay is nice, but it isn't a lot. Plus it just feels freaking good to finally make this goal. For the longest time I had some captain's rank pinned in the old Pathfinder then in the bimmer to remind me every day of the goal and what responsibility I will be stepping into. I replaced it with the gold oakleaf for Major this weekend.
During the promotion ceremony I stated what I have said many times. A lot of officers lose sight of the NCO's (sergeants) and lower enlisted. Having spent time as one has definitely helped me keep perspective. THEY are the ones who should get credit for every success of my unit. THEY are the ones who make me as a commander succeed or fail miserably. The unit has had some rocky days, but overall they are a great team. I am really proud to command them. I have about another year and 1/2 left in command and I already know I will miss it. These soldiers will always have a spot im my heart.
20051105
"I don't care about winning the fight, I just care about doing damage. I just want to hit hard and do a lot of damage. Winning will take care of itself." -Jack (Ultimate Fighter)When I was boxing in Kuwait (1:5) I hit a wall in training. The coach, one of my best friends told me what my problem is. Rick said, "You have the same problem I had when I was in Golden Gloves... you don't really want to hurt the other guy. If you want to continue with this you are going to have to make a change inside that is not necessarily good. You are going to have to want to kill the other fighter. You are a nice guy at heart and that's what is stopping you but if you do this you can't go back." That's when I became an assistant coach and judge for the fights.
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20051101
Unfortunately the good group picture was washed out. (clockwise) My mug, Jill, Petrina and Kurt. Missing in this are Tom (my co-worker), and Mike. It was great to see some of the Team from hiking up Mt Kilimanjaro this last July. I'll NEVER forget you guys. The tiny clock radios in the rooms here don't get any AM stations so I couldn't listen to Kurt's radio show. Thanks for an AWESOME dinner - has the three-cheese ravioli with this nice squash sauce.
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