Pirate Weekend

Over the Columbus Day Holiday, I went with Chris Hill and Ed McAvoy, two guys I work with to the Shakleford Banks, just south of Harker's Island. It's an island all by itself at the southern end of the OUTER BANKS. Holy cow. This is an amazing place.

History goes that this was one of Blackbeards many islands he frequented and used in his times as a pirate. On top of that, he had a few ships go aground near there. Which leads me to this point. There are actual WILD HORSES (Ponies) on that Island.

And have been for hundreds of years. Since the days of Blackbeard. Apparently one of his ships carrying a shit load of horses, went aground at the shackleford banks and they've been living there ever since. The state has them all tagged and is watching them all, but they are protected and there is actual fresh water on that island. It's a great place and I plan on going back soon. I had the time of my life. Fishing, relaxing and just plain KICKIN' it on the island, completely by myself. No sounds of cars, no other boats, really to speak of, no other people. You're on an uninhibited island, aside from the ponies and wildlife. It was great.

A must do, if you have access to a boat.

I took this picture at sunrise the next morning. It's amazing how sunrises look so much like an Oregon Sunset off Tillamook. Gave me goosebumps of the similarity.

Can't get enough of this show

Mars Rising. On Discovery Science Channel

Man, It's got William Shatner commetating it and I must admit a gay love for William Shatner. I don't know why, and I'm thoroughly prepared for the onslaught of abuse I'm about to recieve for admiting that, but if you actually knew me, you'd know that already. I've had Shatner Albums (music) for the last 15-16 years. Still have it and anyway, enough about that...

Either way, this is a friggin' GREAT SHOW

I'm hooked. Heather's got Survivor and Private Practice and Brothers and Sisters and all that other bullshit...

I have Mars Rising and...

wait for it.. wait for it..

Family Guy.

This is the best show ever made. Enough said about that.


http://www.discoverychannel.ca/shows/showdetails.aspx?sid=2627

Family Coming In...

Yep.

My Mom and her Husband, my step dad, Roger should be here Nov. 30th. Staying for about a week. Looking forward to it. I'm sure the kids will be super stoked. They usually enjoy these types of visits from family.

Now we just gotta find stuff to do around here in Late Nov, Early Dec. I'm seeing a trip to Blackbeard's museum or the Duplin Winery? Possilbly even a trip down to the USS N. Carolina.. or if we're lucky... Heading to Quantico, VA and spend a day or two there. We'll see.

After

The Jeep

Time to start posting pictures of the Jeep, I imagine. Now that the lift is done, and all that.


Here's a before picture...

The Move

The Move is official. I know that most of you have no clue what I'm talking about, but, we were once in French Creek Bldg 375, at that Maint. Center, and now we are at a Maint. Facility that is twice the size of 375. French Creek 270. What's that mean? Well, Osh Kosh was kicked off the base and now we have the contract for the MTVR's (7 Tons) Also, DynCorp was kicked off base and now we have the C3 contract (Carc Paint Booth and blast facility.) Also, we got cleared hot to take on MWSS-272 at New River Air Station. Also, contracts are in negotiation to start at Cherry Point as well. What does all of this mean?? Well, to you, probably nothing. To me, and Heather... Security. For one, the team that we have here at DSD-2 here on Camp Lejeune is top notch and is the best crew I've ever worked with, even to include my Marine Corps Career. These guys and girls that I work with are the best. I actually wake up each day, exited about going to work. I haven't felt like that since Sleep-n-Aire. Anyhow, the move on our part is complete. Now we're just waiting on our "Division" component to get off their asses and getting over here.

Later

Jeep

Yep..






Got one.






Wrangler YJ





Let the Lift Kit and 35's begin.






Yay, me.

Heather's project

I have taken over Mark's blog for a moment, hope you don't mind? I decided to try something that I had never done before, strip and stain a dresser. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out so I thought I would share.


As you can see this is the before shot when the dresser was Maisy's


This is the after shot and now it's Mason's.


Here's the close up. Needless to say I don't think I'll be doing a project like this again any time soon.
-Heather

1st Day of school pictures

Well here are a couple pictures of the kids. Mason didn't want to participate.




Hope you like the pictures.

Heather

I think that I'm in trouble

Man, I'm lookin' at Jeeps.

I know. But not a new one. I'm looking for an older one. Either a CJ or YJ to toy around with and put some fishing pole holders on the front and lift it and play around with the kids and Heather with.


I know I want a Jeep, but I just don't know what kind. I suppose I'll know when I see it.
Chew on that for a while.

I'm out.

Long day

Well, thought that I would come home for lunch today and get a healthy Ben and Jerry's Karamel Sutra Ice Cream... Mmmmm. Glad I did that. Tomorrow the kids all go back to school. First day back. Will we be taking pictures?? Doubt it. Unless Heather decides to stay home and do that before she goes to work. I gotta be at work at 6. So, that's a no go for me. Too bad, I guess. Hayden and Maisy and getting excited about going back to school, even though they really enjoyed their summer at the youth center with Movie Theater Trips, swimming at the pool, bowling, and general playing.

Anyway, I suppose that I'm back for now. Though, I just don't see me putting a bunch of pictures up here that much. We'll see how that goes.

out.

I have no. idea

Alright, alright...

I don't wanna hear it.

I got enough of the Anonymous comments. Look, I've been god damn busy.

Anyway, sorry.

I hope to change that, but go knows how I'm gonna do that.

I have no. idea

Alright, alright...

I don't wanna hear it

I'm Back


I have a picture of Heather's bike as well.

HD Style

Man..

Where have I been right?

I don't wanna hear it, Leslie.

Here's what's been going on. I've been going through some excruciating back pain lately. I have an MRI scheduled on the 14th finally, Thanks Heather. It was for a whole lot later, but Heather did some black magic and turned some B.S. around. This is sort of a reaccuring thing for me, however, this is worse than before. Anyway, I'm not going to go into great detail over that.

However, it has sort of slowed me down on this computer. I usually get up in the morning and type on this damn thing. Well, hell I can barely move, let alone, sit on my ass and type about stuff. So, I've just been avoiding the computer, in general.

New stuff. Heather bought a motorcycle. A 2004 Sportster. We go and pick it up today. It's in Northern North Carolina. Bout a couple hour drive. She's pretty excited, and hopefully she'll be serious about riding it more than she did the MZ. If not... then I guess I just bought myself a Sportster. No, I think she'll be riding quite a bit. Couple of the guys at work have their big bagger bikes, and I think she goes into work drooling over them, and plus everytime she fills up the Mazda, she must be thinking how nice a 5 gal. tank would be. Regardless... We'll be looking at some "Heather Flair" this week for her to wear while riding. It's just how it is. She's gotta coordinate with her accessories, that being the bike and her clothes. Too funny. You can take the girl out of California, but you can't take the California out of the girl. Oh well, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Still working. Still working. Right around 10-14 hours overtime a week. Looking at going into Saturday's soon. Not looking forward to that, but whatever. The Marines have created another mission. Our contract got extended another year. So, that's good. Kids' last day is Thursday, and they couldn't be any happier. Us too, quite frankly. Man, I hated homework then, and I hate it now.

Anyhow, I'll try to get on here more often.


Later, kids.

A New Momma Moved In

We have a new visitor.

The sign says, Home is where you build your nest. Kind of fitting, I suppose. This bird chose to build a nest right in this sign.

Awesome.

Time Zones

Okay, this is gonna seem a bit far reaching here, but it's true, nonetheless. First off, we're living in the Eastern Time Zone. Okay, now that that's established... Here's my problem with the Eastern Time Zone... I don't think that we have ever REALLY left the Pacific Time Zone. Even after years of living in Nebraska and now living out here. I hate the Eastern Time Zone. For one, all the really good shit to watch on TV... Comes on so damn late, that you just don't wanna watch it!! Let's take Hockey for example. In Oregon or California, I used to be able to watch a Hockey game at around 5:00 pm and be in bed by 8!!! Hell, watch a double header, and be in bed by 11:00 pm!! Now, games start at the earliest... 8:00 pm. Haven't watched a full damn Hockey game since Nebraska. Monday night football. Comes on at 9:00 pm here. No shit!! I'm in bed by 9, if I have my way. Oregon... 6:00, games over by 9.

So, if it were just a matter of watching sports, that would be pretty pathetic. But, it's not. I was contemplating getting up early each day and going for about a 3 mile run each morning. That's only a half an hour. 35 minutes at most. Well, that means I'd have to get up at 4:25 each morning taking into account peeing and getting dressed. Hell, it's hard enough getting my ass moving at 5!! I still feel like I'm getting up at 2:00 am, Pacific Time. Shit, we used to get up early every morning in NE and CA. Never really bothered us like it bothers us now. I still think my internal time clock is set to Pacific Time. Heather's too. It's like a sickness, trying to get up anymore.

So, now that it's 5:25 and I have to get moving and slide a couple cups of coffee down my throat, I should probably stop typing and get a move on. Oh, the running thing... That's because I NEED to start getting back in to shape. It's finding the time. My day starts at 5 am, and I don't get home from work till around 6pm. By then, I'm so damn pooped that I just wanna eat dinner and go to bed. But yeah. I'm getting to that breaking point of tired of looking at myself. SO, it's time to change my physical habits. Hell, I rarely drink anymore. And I'm not gonna stop eating what tastes good, so I better start running.

Damn... I wish I was in California. I'd still be sleeping for another 2.5 hours.

Later, kids.

Glens Falls, NY

So, I'm back. And I have to tell you, I had a great time. In a word... Relaxing. Glens Falls, is a little like Old Fremont, or Molalla. Small town community with a small town community way of living. I haven't been witness to that sort of thing in a long time.

I learned some new verbage while up there. First off, let me tell you, Upstate New Yorkers are a different breed then NYC New Yorkers. First off, New Yorkers HATE NYC New Yorkers. Politically, if you win NYC, you win New York. Screw the rest of em. The rest of New York is a Gun totin', country music listening, sort of hick. So, they hate NYC new yorkers. They also hate Vermonters, people from Conneticuit, Massachusettes, and even Canadians. If you're from Conn. You're a Conneticuit Princess. If you're from Mass. You're a Mass-hole. If you're from Canada, You're just a Dirty Canadian. They dispise Canadians.

So, I took about 100 pictures of the wedding and reception and all that. Took about 10 picutres of New York, and other areas. Typical me. The truth of the matter is that I left the camera in the car.

The Devine's are Great/ Amazing People. Took me in as family and treated me as one of their own (Brett and Katie and Brett's Mom and Dad, Rack'em Renny and Claudia) If anyone has ever seen my Mom's house or even where she lives, then you've seen Renny and Claudia's House. It's really creepy just how much alike the two houses are on opposite sides of the country. Claudia even has the exact same decorating tastes as my mom, even down to the Kinkade paintings throughout the house. The house is just as big, in the middle of the country in Kingsbury.

So, overall, quite enjoyable, BUT.... I'm glad to be back home. I was missing it a lot.

Now, I'm tired and gotta go back to work. I read Leslies blog, and I couldn't agree more. I suppose that comes from being from Oregon and from a "tree huggin'" state and spending a vast majority of my childhood outside watching suburbia creep up on us and slowly become big city, forcing us to get the hell out and move to the deep country. Then, we were living 1500 feet from the river, at the base of the mountains near Christmas Tree farms and miles away from big city and it's hassles. Keeping our own environment just how we liked it... Green and Clean. As we move around, I notice just how dirty America is, and just how beautiful Oregon was and still is. I have a feeling that Oregon will be the place we eventually retire in. 15 years and counting.

Leslie... I get it.

New York, New York

Well... I'm off to Glens Falls, NY today. Actually, by the time most of you read this, I'll already be in Fort Edward, NY.

If any of you remember our wedding, you will no doubt remember that I had 2 groomsmen. Jerry and Brett. (Jerry being the short one with the microphone... Ahhh, now your remember.) Well, Brett is getting married on the 5th, and asked me months ago to come up. So.. I'm going up. Most of you may know that I have known Brett since 1996. Since Ft. Leonardwood, MO. Ever since that day in Ft. Leonardwood, we have been stationed in the same place at the same time throughout each others military career. He's a great friend, and wouldn't miss this for the world.

This trip was supposed to be an accompanied flight by another good friend, Jason Lund. Well, about a week or so, Jason fell 20 feet off a rock climbing wall and landed straight down and split his tibia straight up in two pieces. So, Friday, he got a few pins, plates, and screws put in there. Needless to say, he won't be on the flight or at the wedding. He's pretty bummed out, and I don't blame him.

Anyway, I'm hoping to see a few things while I'm there. I brought the camera. We'll see if I use it. Going off my past experience (Okinawa, I took like 4 rolls of film in 1 year) I'm worried.

Anyway, I will write when I get back.

See ya...

Our April is Over, thank god

It's finally happened.

The Birthday parties are officially over. Today was Maisy's and we braved through it. 12 Kids total. Mostly little girls.

It used to be cute that all the kids were born in April. The cuteness is wearing off. As each April comes around, the more we as parents seem to frown.

No, seriously though, it's over. 7, 6, and 3. 1st, 27th, and 19th. Incase there are some family members out there that have trouble remembering the dates. Hey, even I forget sometimes. Another year older.

Had a slight tragedy today. Maisy ate it pretty good in the backyard during her party, and Hayden came to the rescue while Maisy was inside Crying. Hayden gathered all the girls up and broke out his AirHog. A toy you step on and it makes a NERF rocket fly in the air. Think of the sledgehammer at the fair trying to hit the bell at the top. So, he had all the girls lined up and orderly taking turns on the AirHog. Funny stuff. Maisy was a bit pissed that all the girls had Hayden's attention and not hers.

Couple of minutes later and a tissue, she was back in the groove and playing. Good time, overall.

Coffee and Starch

My mornings usually start pretty normal... Get up at between 4:45 and 5:00 a.m. and start the day. Shuffle off to the kitchen, start the morning's coffee and head to the shower. After that... It's time to bust out the ironing board. Sidebar....

Before I joined the Marines... I must have only ironed about 11 times in my entire life. Since joining the Marines, I may iron atleast 11 times in a week. I used to hate it, now I sort of enjoy it. Almost a form of unwinding or in my case at times, winding up in the morning.

All this and then I check my email. Type a bit, here and there, check out Leslie's blog, the news, my bank account, and then the weather. Usually in THAT ORDER!! I suppose that could show some evidence of my priorities in life, if one took the Freudian look at it. By the way... When I wake up... Everyone wakes up. Did I mention we get the kids up at around 5:15 to start getting them ready. I'm not a huge believer in TV, these days, so as soon as I wake up, I turn on the radio. No TV. Sometimes it works, sometimes it backfires miserablely. Sometimes you just need your Jetsons to get your day started. So, there are exceptions to the TV rule, but very few.

So, here I am, getting ready to sign off, and head out the door, to pick up my V8, Vegan Powerbar (yeah, I know... Vegan. But, it's damn good though), and water at the C Store, and then it's off to work to get there by 6:30. Today, Heather is taking the kids to day care. She's a good girl, and I remind her of that, often. Tomorrow, it's my turn. So, the day will start about 15 minutes earlier.

See you tomorrow morning.

Mark

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

Since I started working, it seems I haven't really had time to do much.

Let's start with reading. I used to love to read books. Hell, anymore, I find myself firing up the computer just to keep up with the day's events. 5 minutes later... I'm off, and we're making dinner.

Writing... Well, that one's pretty self explanitory. As you can tell, I just haven't been keeping up with this blog lately. That should change in the very near future.

Arithmetic... Well, that's math, and math is numbers. Granted, we've been doing a bit of addition and multiplication at this house, but, the side effects are not having much free time to enjoy yourself with.

We did baseball games today. I will post that later. Funny as hell, though.

Went to Harley, saw a bunch of chrome and black paint. Nothing special. Picked up 4 bolts for my airbox and we were outta ther after we had a slice of free pizza and free beer. THAT PART KICKED ASS!!

Put some new tires on the Mazda today and finally.... after starting our day leaving the house at about 0940, we were home by 1600 (4 p.m.) Took a quick cat nap, and up for dinner.

Exhausting.

Should go riding in the morning. Looking forward to that. Weather here is getting hotter and hotter and more and more bitchin.

Monday I start class. ENV 101. Basically more HazMat classes. I love being on a Marine base, at times. Nothing like FREE Education. Plus, having a GREAT employer helps out, too. Basically, I've been told that if it's free, I can do as much as I'd like and not to worry about the time I'm not at work. Better yet... I'm still getting paid.

Awesome.

Well, I'm outta here.

I'm tired, and I wanna go to bed

(Had a little drink about an hour ago, and it's gone right to my head.) From JAWS (In the boat, drunk)

King Dork, I am so crowned

So, yeah.... 105 more days till the release of this book. I am truly a enormous Harry Potter retarded, geeky, freak about these books. Don't bother buying me any. I own them all. I read them more than once. I have all the movies. J.K. Rowling, may go down in history as the equivilant to Stephen King, Daniell Steele, and William Shakespeare as far as name / book recognition.

Speaking of Stephen King, this is another Author in which I am stupid about. I think it all started with Cujo for me. Seeing that movie as a kid scared the shit out of me. Stuck since. Anyway, the Dark Tower Series... Totally bitchin'!! My little brother, Greg, and I are friggin freaks about this series. Greg... He may have me by 1/2 a notch on this one. They started putting out the Dark Tower Series Comic books. According to my brother, they are flippin amazing. He buys 5 copies of each one for various reasons. I can't find ANY of them out here, or I'd probably do the same. I guess, they're only putting out a certain number of issues, and that may be it. Like an appendix to the series or an addition in a sense. This has been going on for a few months. I still can't find ANY out here. I'm relying on my brother (who kicks ass!!) to take care of me on this.

T.A.D.

I'll be going T.A.D. here pretty soon (next week or so.) Heading off to MCLB Albany. That would be Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany. What's there? Couple things... DS2 Headquarters and the birthing and burial place for all things Motor Transport. If it has really anything Motor T related in the Marines... it's either off to or coming from Albany. Gotta go there for some training and what not, for their version of Safety classes and what not. I really don't know what it's ALL for, but I don't really care. It's "old hat" as far as I'm concerned. Been there, done that. Have I told you how much this job RAWKS??!!

All the perks and job knowledge of the Marines, and you get to wear normal clothes and get off early. It reallly is nice working on base. I love being around the Marines. Marines are a great batch of people. Unique in their own way. Once you've worn the uniform, you get it, and they seem to get you (other Marines) Anyway.... if it weren't the Marines, it would be so easy... A caveman could do it.

Which will bring me to my next picture....


This is our MOST favorite picture. By the way.. I love the internet. I found this picture hanging up on the read board outside of some MgySgt's office in our building in which we share with the Marine contingent at our building. I took it, and brought it home to show Heather. 7 minutes later, it was on our desktop... Heather is a whiz with Google. So, some of you have recieved your Caveman email. Others that haven't... I knew you'd be looking here.

Heather and I have been laughing our asses off since yesterday afternoon with this one. Someone has to email this to Raul.. For you Browns... (that's a Heuer side relative.. he's in the Army... Used to be in the Marines) I'm sure Jim is on it.

Later, kids....

Mark

Duty

Yep... The hard charger has Barracks Duty today. ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT. Poor thing. Usually she gets lucky and has duty on the weekday... Therefore resluting in her checking in at 1630. Not this time. 0730 check in time. However, most of the kids there are gone I heard from Heather so it shouldn't be that bad. Nonetheless, around 1100 she showed up in the Gov-ster van wearing all her duty gear. She had to take a kid to the Naval Hospital (we live by it,) good way to kick off the Easter weekend, I suppose. Good Friday wasn't so great for this cat, I guess, resulting into a Shitty Saturday.

Well, all you tax payers are getting your money's worth today.

Districts

No... Hayden did not win at Districts... However, what he did win is "Classic Design Award." Not bad, it's a nice Cert. I didn't take a picture of it, I'm in a rush.

I gotta get gone in about 15 minutes to get the kids to Day Care and Youth Center, so I can get on the road and head to work. We all had a meeting of the collective former Marine Minds, and what we came up with was... A change in hours. We know that Overtime is just about a key punch or two away once Corrective Parts start coming in, so we felt that since it will be anywhere from 1-2 hours overtime a night, we'd like to come in at 7, get off by 1530, and if worse came to worse, after overtime, we're still out by 1730, giving us family time still. It was a no brainer... We bit and bit hard.

This is so far, a great job... It is comprised of Purely Former Marines and a couple of former Soldiers. So I believe that it is about 100% former military. So, nobody's late, they're all about 10-15 minutes early! We function well, we butt heads even better and most importantly, we seem to be getting the job done.

The big boss man is a former CWO5!! Yeah, so he's a god on this base and can pretty much aquire ANYTHING he wants. It funny to see Colonel's tripping over themselves to do this guy a favor for us. It's actually nice having a guy like Gunner Cooper on our side.

That's all I got for now. I'll try to get my lazy ass to post some pics soon.

Shiny Little Quarter

Hazmat...

It's a 25% Raise. Not bad for only working 2 Days.

Unreal

So, if you knew what I was making before. Add 25%.

Ridiculous. Lockheed Martin can afford it, I guess.


Mark

HazMat?

Holy Crap... I may have some ridiculous news by the end of this day. I gotta make this a quick post... Gotta go to work, Heather and I gotta get the kids going, and get gone. But here's the skinny... The place I work for... They need a HazMat guy. They have been authorized to hire one on. Can you believe that? So, I was TOLD to call this one guy last night after my Section Leader told me about it, saying that I was the first person he thought of when this job came open in the past 2 days. So, I called this dude, and he told me that it's mine for the taking or refusing. It all comes down to pay. If it's less that I'm offered now as an LVS mech... then, no. But he doesn't know what the pay is going to be till today. He just got authorized to hire last night. So, after much talk last night about this, I was reassured that I'm first in line for the job, if I want it.

Heather and I stayed up for a couple of hours just LAUGHING about this. What a trip. It is unbelievable how things work out. Good thing I kept the reciepts. (Inside joke that Heather and I will get)

Here's the irony. I originally joined the Marines with intentions of becoming a Motor T Mech. Well, that didn't work out. They made me a Driver after much argument. So, time goes by, I marry a Motor T Mech. Went to college with my interests in Chemistry/Biology. Well, after years of Marines, I end up working as a Asst. Chemist for Hazco, and the county and city of San Diego. So, here I am OFFERED my original request of a job, as a Motor T Mech (civilian,) and I am being offered a HazMat job as a result of acccepting said named Mech job.

Too much.

Later, kids.

A Quartet

All FOUR... cuatro todo...

We won all four games last night. Bowled our butts off. Felt good. We beat a team that I CAN NOT stand. Mostly for personal reasons. Regardless... They got beat up like a narck at a biker rally. There is one other team that we can not stand. They are such whiners and babies and A-holes when bowling. I hate unsportsmanly like people. After all.. our team is just there to have fun and do something on a Tuesday night.

Hopefully we play them soon and stomp their asses. I hope, anyway. We're tied for first with that team.



Off to Wilmington today to go to Harbor Freight and then it's back to J-Ville to hit up Sears.

Anyone ever watch the Rockford files? I used to love that show as a kid, and it's still on WGN and Sleuth channel. I have it TiVo'd for a Season Pass. Jim Rockford's buddy is a burn-out deadbeat, flaky loser... I met this guy's 2007 twin. The Rockford Files is cool.

Mark

Did I say Mt. Fuji?

Yes, I did. On that last post it reminded me of Mt. Fuji. (Probably because I said the word.) I haven't thought about Fuji in years.

I think I've been pretty lucky, in my life, having been around the world by the age of 22. Fisher "fish" is a guy that I was stationed with at MWSS-172 in Okinawa. He was an Embarker/Ammo Tech. Well, I was over the ripe old age of 21 (most my rank weren't even 20) so I got an Ammo license, and therefore, I had to work with the Ammo Tech's. Great guy. Hilarious. Gold teeth and a riot. We got to Mt Fuji in July/August of 1998, if I remember right, anyway, it was friggin' hot!! A lot of pretty hard training and hard playing free time. Free time was little but used well. Went to Tokyo and if you've ever seen "Lost in Translation," was a lot like that movie at times.

Fuji. What a great place. I have about 2 rolls of "FILM" (remember that stuff) of Mt. Fuji. We were in the field quite a bit with the Japaneese Military so, pictures were few, but Fuji was one of those "Forced Free Times" we had. Our camp was at the base of the mountain. So, every day we would look at that knowing that the day was soon. I came from Oregon, and hiking was really no big deal, plus having only been slightly remomved from Camp Pendleton and having done 20 mile humps in the hills, I thought I was more conditioned that most other people. Turned out to to be "semi true."



Well, at 0800, our hike up the Mountain started at a pre determined base camp. We were authorized to wear shorts and a T shirt if we wanted. So, me and 2 other dudes went into Tokyo and bought the UGLIEST shirts you've ever seen, on purpose, just to bend the rules. That said, we were off climbing. 4 hours later, and legs shaking and lungs burning, we were at the top. Whoa. Intense. Along the way up the mountain, you get your hiking stick burnt with "stamps" from the locals who LIVE on that damn Mt. Well, we got to the top, and took a shit load of pictures. It's an odd feeling being above the clouds. Fuji is a volcano. There are no safety rules in that area. It's not like America. The only thing seperating you from falling in the crater, is dirt. NO GATES, NO BARRIERS, NO NOTHING. Great!!!



Add that up, with young testosterone, you're gonna get some great pictures. Here we are crawling/falling in the crater and taking pictures of it. Took a group/unit photo at the top, and we were on our way down. Now, you could either take the trail, or take your own way. Our own way is against the rules and "law," but we were pretty untouchable. SO we went down the face of the mountain. It was soft and ALL Lava rocks. Each leap was about 10 feet long. Did that for about 30 minutes and we were about 9000 feet down the mountain. By the time we reached base camp we had migraines. Dumb, but fun.

Someday, I really am gonna get a great scanner and get all these damn pictures on disk before they all go to shit.

Work and Day Care

First off... Work. So, I went to the in-briefing yesterday, and since my DS2 Package isn't in, yet, I had to go home till it comes in. (Today) and then I go take my UA, and then, I'm good. Just a formality. I get it. Base is pretty particular and kind of a stickler about rules. No biggy. So, my first day was only about 3 hours long. Just enough to get a lot of the briefings out of the way and get my info for the contractor ID. Actually, it gives me about 2 more days to get some shit squared away and together. I'm hoping to head over to Heather's work tomorrow and Thurs. to get a refresher on LVS's and get some good knowledge before I start. Plus, it gives me time to get the Tool List squared away. BUT... finally a job I can commute to with the motorcycle. How nice is that? Gas could be 10 bucks a gallon... I could care less. Just be 30 bucks to fill up. That's 1/3 of what I pay NOW for the truck. Damn truck has a swelling thirsty 30 gallon tank. Dammit. Well, I'd still care. But, regardless... No better feeling that getting on the bike and riding.

Day Care. First day for Mason with Daycare. Best part... It's about 1000 feet from our house. NOT BAD! Plus, he loves his Day Care lady. (Marina, who happens to live next door to "Fish," a guy that I was in Oki and Mt. Fuji with. Weird how shit works out. Plus, he's on my bowling team.) Hadyen and Maisy... This is their first day doing the "Youth Center" thing. The youth Center is about 1500 feet from the house, as the crow flies. This place is AMAZING!! High speed, low drag! Heather and I love this place. Plus, they have great activities for the kids to do, and they help them with their homework starting at 4:00. They get breakfast, PM snacks, and TONS of Play Time with their buddies. Plus, the bus takes them to school from there, and takes them to the Center after school. Awesome. Only a Tad Spendy, but WELL worth it.

So, ALL the kids were super stoked to get their day started. 0530, and we were ALL UP!! out the door by 0630. Done by 0700 (paper work and B.S. to do at each place) Overall... great.



Later, skaters...

So... You can always tell when Hayden gets out of the shower... He gets bored and stacks stuff.

It used to start with cars...

Hence... this photo


But.. What Heather and I find it amusing that he still does this. That photo was taken just 1 month into being at Nebraska. Hayden was. 2 1/2.. Almost 3. Now.. At 6, almost 7... he's still stacking. Great. I love it, quite frankly.


By the way... The Tulips!.... The yellow one's are coming in. The daffodills are having a bunch of trouble. Seems that the kids and neighbors can't keep off of them. I tend to come from the school of thought that likes to hide behind the shed and just shoot them with a bee-bee gun. Just Kidding.

But, not really. No.. really, I'm kidding. Just wishing.

Camping

It was a pretty good time!! We forgot some things... Minor things.

So, we went Camping.



I'll tell ya.. I must have seen A million Sunset's on the Ocean living in Oregon and California. But, this was my first time that I have ever seen a SUNRISE on the Ocean. I have to be honest with you... While this one was beautiful and spectacular, it kind of reminded me of an Oregon Sunset off of Depot Bay.

My Dad used to say that he thinks that there's just something wrong with East Coast people and he believes it is attributed to their never ACTUALLY seeing the Sun Set. I think I agree with him. There's something to be said about seeing the day off. You watch a sunrise and you realize... Shoot, I gotta get outta here... I got things to do!! You see a sunset... you can just chill out and if you feel like it.. Go to sleep. That's my kind of Day. Plus, it's pretty relaxing to see a great sunset. Perfect way to end the day.

While it is a great way to start the day, I still prefer the evening sunset on the Pacific. I used to have a picture, (why I need a scanner) when I was in Okinawa, where I was on this "Globe Monument in Naha" and you could see the sunrise on the Pacific and see the Sunset on the East China Sea. Neat place. I can't wait to go back.

Tulips in Bloom

It's a good day, here. Could be a Metaphor for things to come?


I'm not really sure why... But man, I like Tulips.

We plant them at EVERY house we've lived in. I suppose it's just a thing we do. This year I got some Tulips that are Red and Yellow. All in one flower. We're referring to them as the Marine Flowers.

Outta here...

We're off to go Camping at the Beach.

See ya Sunday.



We're out like Ellen!!!

3521 / 3522

I HAVE GOT HUGE NEWS.


EMPLOYMENT.

Yep... I know, I know. For those of you that are still in your chairs... let's take a moment to let the others pick themselves up and sit back down and recover from Blacking out.

That being said... It's official. It's been a tightly guarded secret as not to Jinx it, but... No need to keep it anymore. Starting Monday, I work for DS2.

I know... What's DS2? Well, it's easier to just look it up in Google. But, they are a base contractor here on base that I believe just won a contract to take over some Military Jobs here on base. As some of you may know, Civilians are slowly being asked to perform jobs and tasks that Marines used to do. What that means is... I have more than likely become a 3521. What in the hell is a 3521? Well, it's the same thing as Heather. It's a Mech. Working on HMMWV's, LVS, and other Green vehicles, performing 1st, 2nd, and some 3rd echelon work on these vehicles. If you've been around the military for a number of years, you've slowly been seeing more and more jobs turn into civilian jobs. Well... I guess you can chalk me up as one of those civilians, now.

As I understand it, I should be working at what might be Division Motor T. For those of you that have been here before, it's the Motor T lot behind the Steam Plant, sort of across the street form the Hadnot Point 7 Day store. So.... yeah, it's a base job.

New Contract, so I think the hours are gonna be out of this world at first. Lots of OT. That's just common to new contracts. It was the same with Hazco at Pendleton.

I will post more when I find out more.

Some of you are wondering about pay. My Dad taught me a great life lesson to never talk about money. I can just tell you that... it's enough to keep us ALL happy. Basically.... It's great.

Take Care.

I out.

We're going camping tomorrow for a few Days at the Beach.

I'm married to a Heuer. Every once in a while... Her luck rubs off on me. If you're a Heuer, you won't get it. If you weren't born one but married one or know one... You'll get it.

Later Skaters.

Three x Ten

Well.... That would be Thirty. Thirty. Thirty. Quite the stepping stone and mile marker. She has finally joined the ranks of us Adults, as she would put it.

Heather's 30. What a great Birthday. It seems that most people I know have great Birthdays. Heather is the first day of spring. What a great, beautiful, glorious day. Plus, it's her birthday. Other people I know? Brett.... Cinco de Mayo. Jason.... Groundhog day. Leslie.... Halloween. My Mom.... Columbus Day. Hayden.... April Fools Day. My Nana.... Election Day. My Grandma Alderson.... Christmas. Belinda.... Same day as my brother, March 9th. Others that make it memorable for me? Emily... March 8th. One day before my brother. Chris, day after Christmas. Jim, Day before Brett, and day before Cinco de Mayo. Which is why I love finding Mexico stuff for Jim. My Aunt Barb.... Day after my Mom's Birthday. (next oldest sister... That's pretty cool.) Anyway, it seems that everyone that I know has a great birthday "day." Me... well.... it's just a birthday. That's kind of the way I like it, though.

Anyway, She's 30. I love her, she still looks 23, and she's had 3 kids, and she's a Marine. That's a hell of an accomplishment.

Plus... She's my wife. My best friend. And... She makes me laugh. Couldn't ask for anything better.

Love you Heather.

Confiscated...

Yep. He wasn't allowed to come home with his car...

Cause he's GOING ON TO DISTRICTS!!!!

NO SHIT!

Too Funny. He came in 3rd place, overall.

He's stoked and a little pissed. He just want to bring it home and play with it.


Out

It's GO TIME, BABY!!!!

On This Sixteenth Day Of March, in the Year Of Our Lord Two Thousand and Seven (3/16/07.) Yes... It's True and it's finally here. We, (the kids and I) are all JAMMIN' OUT to some Twisted Sister and a little Gwen Stefani to get ourselves all JACKED UP!!!



That's the start of the slide


That's the end of the slide. Think David Lee Roth

It's gonna happen, and we shall all bare witness to it! It's the Pinewood Derby. Officialy kicking off this grand extravaganza at 1700 (5:30 pm) and we're all a little buzzed right now on Heavy Metal and Powerade!! Looking to see just who comes home with the gold.

This car, from it's inception is HAYDEN'S IDEA!! He chose the shape ( He told me how he wanted it to look, and after NUMEROUS drawings, I guess I got it right), I tried to let him carve it a little but he damn near lost a thumb. SO, off the Hobby Shop we went to let a professional Retired Marine do the dirty work. Then, he 100% chose the paint scheme, chose the number of his car. and even decided on the finishing touches, which were LEGO pieces, to add some flair. Brilliant, if you ask me!! I chose the Gold Rims, but he conccured with my decision.

This thing has been an ABSOLUTE BLAST to do!! I know what I'm up for though, as soon as we get there. There's gonna be all the bells and whistles and greased wheels and pissed off fathers and NASCAR themed cars and did I mention there will possibly be some pissed off fathers there? It's inevitable. I hope they all act their age and billet, as father, not asshole.

Anyway, Hayden is JACKED!! He can hardly contain himself. The kids had no school today, and so he's had ALL DAY to bug me about it. What's been harder is letting him NOT play with it. He has a jealous sister and even more jealous brother who are ALL looking to ruin his day.

We must have LITERALLY 75 different colors of Acrylic paint. And he chose Red, White, and Blue. Plus, he wanted a little gold. He realized that I got Gold Medals for coming in first for Bowling and he said he wanted his number 100 in GOLD!!! Dude is funny smart!! Will we win tonight? Who cares. We'll laugh and smile. That's all I'm really hoping to get out of this. If we come home with a little hardware... We won't complain. Shit, if we come home with hardware, Hayden is gonna be Shittin' in Tall Cotton tonight. He's got a Sleep-over Birthday party at the Neighbors House.

I hope he wins. More importantly, I hope he has fun!!!

Can't wait. Some days it's good to be me. And, I quote.. "You're the best, Dad!!" HA!! Beat that!! You couldn't bring me down if you tried!!

Later, Skaters!!!

Greg David Brown

Not Gregory, and not Gregg, with two G's. But Greg. Yep... That's my Brother. (my little brother) He's 30 today. 30!! Holy cow! Greg, I suppose I just never thought you would get old. And 30's not really old!! But, when speaking of your "little" brother, 30 just sounds like a weird word to say.

Okay, so Greg is and just may be the FUNNIEST PERSON in our ENTIRE FAMILY!!! Yes, everyone has one, and in our family, we are lucky enough to have Greg as ours. This guy is smart... fast... witty... brilliant... caring... and has probably the best laugh I have ever heard in my life. Still unmatched.

I miss my brother. I think that's not too unatural... Greg and I were typical brothers back in the day... We fought, we laughed, we fought some more, we played, we fought a little bit more, and sometimes, just sometimes, we smiled. Last time I saw Greg was his wedding. After that, I hopped on a plane and went back to Nebraska. (I was on borrowed time with work.)

Greg and I have had this dream that we would always live next door to each other and our kids would play together. I suppose I messed up that part of the plan. Sorry, bro. I wish I had a scanner. I really do. There are some GREAT pictures of Greg that I would love to upload, but however, I do not. So, there may or may not be a picture that I can add to this. Actually, here's a tid bit of info. Greg had this stuffed animal named "Henry" since he was just a squirt. Well, after years of resewing by my "master" sewing Dad (whom I probably get my knack of sewing from) Henry had been repaired atleast 30 times. Missing 1/2 his sewing after years of dog chewing, brother ripping, tug of wars and just all around loving, Henry was finally buried in the backyard of our Molalla home on Hwy 211. I think that Greg buried a piece of his soul that day. Very sad. It's hard letting go of your childhood. My childhood stuffed animal (George) was burned in a house fire, shortly after Greg's "Henry" was buried. I guess that's just fate. Well, one year, it occured to me after talking with Greg online about different things and "Henry" came up. So, I got to researching and looking around and in Colorado of all places, I found one. Unreal. So after another couple of weeks of bargaining and scamming and all around giving in... It was mailed to my house. JACKPOT!!! Well, couple of weeks later... It was in a box on the way to Oregon. Greg got it a couple days later and as I understand it, was "kinda happy." Great moment.

Look, there are numerous Mark and Greg stories; There's Greg at Rockaway dancing and being the goof ball for the family while playing UNO. There's the Greg who hit a parked truck while on his bike looking at me and talking and then... BAM!! There's the Greg who used to stay up with me at Aunt Donna's house playing with our stuffed animals Henry and Tim and George, laughing our ASSES off till midnight then passing out from exhaustion. There's the Greg that used to ride with me to 7-11 and drink slushee's and play video games. Then take the long ride back home with one hand on the bike and one hand clutching our drinks. Then, there's the Greg fell off his bike, chin first, then a year later rode a skateboard on his stomach and hit a hole. It's a vision of Greg wearing a "wildlife safari" shirt with a "V" shaped area of blood covering half his shirt, holding his chin and a lady walking him home. Amazing. Greg's tough. There's the Greg that I took to get his FIRST TATTOO (pre-graduation present, good thing he graduated) Then there's the Greg who asked if we could have an Exchange Student from Colombia live with us (Marcel... What a great year.) Then there's the Greg who was brave and held his composure until the minute I had to leave home. Backing up in my S-10, there was Greg. Teary eyed and saying goodbye. Tough moment for me. I imagine it was just as tough for him. There was his big brother, being told to leave. And he had just a coulpe of minutes muster up the courage to say goodbye. Then, there's the Greg that I remember the most. Infact, when I think of Greg, this is the picture I get in my mind's eye... It' Greg, one leg cocked up on the running board of Dad's Van (which he still has to this day,) he's got huge shades on, must be about 4, wearing period 70's clothes that were probably my hand me downs, green shirt, straight brown hair, and a huge Greg Smile. Now that's the Greg that basically defined him even to this day. Smiles, and standing on his own.

I have a hard memory for me of Greg in tears at my Marine Corps Graduation. He later told me that he was envious of me and even tried to join the Marines just after that. It was at that point that I think Greg and I hugged more often and became really "close." Now, Greg and I are HORRIBLE at calling each other and I feel bad about that. I think we get that from our Dad. But, that's just the way we are. We don't call. We still love each other. We just don't call. Anyway, things in the past 5 years have gone from confusing to Perfect. He's got a great wife, great kids, great job, and an overall great life. It feels good. We, as a family, used to worry about Greg A LOT!! But, not anymore.

Greg... I will try to call you (that means that I'm going to call, it's just up to you to answer) and tell you Happy Birthday. Alright, little brother, I love you and take care.

Mark

Mary Poppins

Okay... One of the best movies to ever have been created.... Yeah, Mary Poppins. Laugh if you will, but I LOVE THAT MOVIE. So, like any good parent I am going to force feed all the goodness that I know of right into their impressionable minds, whether they like it or not. Thankfully, they seem to like it.

So, every so often, Mason goes into the TV room and I put a movie on for him. (It was a crappy day outside) Well, he was glued to it. He loved it! Plus, Hayden and Maisy love this movie as well. Well, Mason was pretty pooped when he was watching it, and passed right out. Pretty cute.

What happened to good movies like Mary Poppins? I mean, where the hell did they all go? In my list of great classics is Mary Poppins, Wizard of Oz, It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Freaky Friday, and The Apple Dumpling Gang. It's a shame, really.

Good thing for DVD players, right? I could go on for hours about how when I was young, we didn't have these movies at our disposal. We had to wait for them to come on TV once or twice a year on some obscure day. But, that may be for another day.

Enjoy. I'm out.

Fucking Gas...

Let me tell you a few things.... I'm getting a little pissed off with the price of gas. Actually, I don't know what's more frustrating; the fact gas is $2.59 a gallon or the fact that I own (in theory) a 2005 F150 4x4 Super Crew with a 3.73 differential? I'm gettin hosed, here. I mean... It cost me damn near 70 dollars to fill up today. 70 bucks!!!! By the way... It's a 30 gallon tank. That's big money. Believe me, I know it could be worse. I could be paying alomst 100 bucks to fill up. I've been in that situation, by the way. I wasn't really thrilled then, either. But, god dammit... I like having a truck. Since I was 19, I have owned a truck in one shape or another. In fact, I can't really see myself without a truck. Plus... Just as a side note... This isn't hurting out budget AT ALL, it's just the god damn principle behind it!!!

Anyone remember when we used to get all hell bent over 1.49 a gallon? I do. I remember driving to a gas station over by Stater bros. just to get .99 cent a gallon gas vs. the station near out apartment that sold gas for .03 cents more. Now, I'm at damn near triple that amount.

Aint a damn thing I can do about it, except bitch. SO, since this is my blog and my platform... I'm gonna bitch.

I know that most of you feel my pain. I'm not alone. I say we blow up cars all together and go on horseback or carriages. I watched Little House when I was younger... I could do it.

The Buzz

What's the buzz all about?

I'll tell you, chatty... (Those of you older than 40 remember the Chatty Cathy dolls.) Today was Hayden's Cub Scout Meeting. That being said, a couple of weeks ago we predetermined that our Meeting would be held at the Bowling Alley. Why the bowling alley? Well, I'll tell you. In Cub Scouts/Tiger Scouts you get to earn belt medals, to add to your belt, like loops, for "trades" and "sports" that you have learned as a Pack. SO, tonight was bowling. We went over the rules and we played. And man... did we play.

It was a great time.

Breakfast at the Beach

So, Mason and I decided that after dropping Hayden and Maisy off at the bus stop and saying goodbye, that we needed to go to the beach and walk around for a bit. See, I've spent time with all the kids before at the beach, one on one when they were little like Mason. Yet, it was at Pendleton. There is a famous story of me putting Maisy on a backpack carrier and walking the 6 mile pass to LCAC's. Well, I actually started early that day, like I did today. Got back to the truck and Maisy was red as a lobster on one side of her face because she fell asleep on the way back to the truck (3 miles.) Good stuff. So it was Mason's turn. Dad and the boy. It was nice. Today is fairly warm. So was this morning. So, we went to Onslow Beach here on base and headed South to the pier, turned around, collected shells and shiney rocks and a conch shell. Saw a lot of Dolphins out there but I couldn't get them on camera. They're too damn quick and my camera skills are too slow. I have a quick trigger finger, mind you. I just don't have a fast responding camera. I click the button and it's about a 1 second delay. Makes it tough. Anyways, Back to Mason. He actually walked the entire time. Throwing rocks into the ocean. He was a little pooped when we got home. He went right to sleep come nap time. I'm starting to think that as the weather gets better, we might just make this a regular stop. Tide was high when we got there, but was going down quick by the time we were leaving. Good shell hunting!! Took some other pictures of the Cabins and junk around there so I will post other pics of the place so you guys can actually see what the beach cabins and areas look like.

Anywho, a great time was had by all, and we even topped it off with a trip to the commissary for some groceries... ON A PAY DAY, AT THAT!! That was another adventure all in itself. We came out of there with only one or two battle scars but managed to quell the pain from that place with a pop and some cookies.

Lunch

Yep. Heather actually suggested the other day that we get SUSHI!! Ahhhh.... I'm sure there are those in the Heuer Clan that can remember a time when Heather stuck to a steady diet of crackers and butter. Those days are gone. Enter the days of Sushi, Chicken Ceasar Salads, Chicken and rice with Cream of Mushroom, and yes Cadbury Eggs. Sushi. I about fell out of my chair when she called on the way back from the store and said, hey, wanna do sushi tonight? By the way, she eats it too. She likes the Tuna and didn't seem to mind the eel. On that plate is the Salmon, octopus, scallops, and yellowtail. MMmmmmm. We order from Shiki. Friday and Saturday nights it's .50 a piece. Cheap. It's usually an hour to and hour and a half wait. So we call at 4 and eat by 5:45. We pick it up and bring it home. Other wise it's 2 bucks a piece. But they got a bitchin deal on Fridays and Saturday nights. We get like 40 pieces of Sushi. Yeah. 40. 20 bucks. It's heaven

No Picture Today.

I suppose that this is just my Soap Box. Be that as it may, I suppose that this may or may not be the appropriate venue for bitching, but at this point, I just don't care. If you're turned off, then tune out (as an old teacher used to say.)

The one thing I can't stand is when someone makes "excuses." That drives me friggin' bananas. So, I'm gonna try not to make any excuses. That aside, I want to preface with, the hardest times I have ever had to encounter have not been in the Marines. It has not been the day I was kicked out of my house when I was a 18, It's not when I was a struggling through my first FAILED marriage. No, the hardest times I have encountered have been since we have gone on Recruiting Duty till now. Stick with me on this, Since the age of 14, I have had AT LEAST one or MORE jobs at any one time. Even while in the Marines. In Okinawa, I was a bus driver and tour bus driver. In California, I had a job as a Hazardous Waste Reclimator while in the Marines. After I got out, I became an Assistant Chemist for Hazco and had a second job STILL with San Diego County working at the HHW site near Mirimar. ALWAYS had some form of gainful employment.

Then came Recruiting Duty and Nebraska. Not so bad. Heather and I agreed to give her a couple of months to transition to recruiting duty. I was ASKED, by the way. Well, this goes on for a few more months and I take the job at Kush's for bout a year and a half or so. Then, after that, I didn't work for 5 months. Rough. I hated it. Regardless of what anyone else thinks. I was not crazy about it. So, after finding out our extension to Rec. Duty was coming, regardless, I took a job at Wal-Mart. Not glamorous. But, it was employment. Well, this started clashing greatly with Heather's ever-expanding scheduling that the Marines were asking of her. So, I more or less had to quit. So, I did. Then, as most of you don't know, I was ASKED to NOT work, BY HEATHER. Since it alleviated a lot of stress off her and the demands that the Marines were making of her and I and the kids as a family. Long story. You'll just have to trust us on this. So, I was told that she preferred me not working. So, after much debate (laugh if you want) we agreed that we were doing very well financialy, having no bills to speak of and what not, and that we could afford it and actually SAVE money not working. Believe me, I wanted HazMat jobs in NE. However, NE didn't need anyone with HazMat credentials. Not all states are as picky as CA. So, I did that. Then came the move to NC. Again, we waited a couple of months before I would start looking for work so we could figure out a normalcy in her/our schedules with her being an instructor. This got established and then she went to Staff Academy. So, we thought that we would just wait till that was done. Meantime, we have been doing just fine. Now in this time since we've been here, I've still been applying all over base and areas around here. I've been afforded the time to be "picky," if you will. So, I haven't been too picky, just been applying here and there. Well, after awhile I kept applying more and more, and more and more.

Finally, I tallyed it up. I had applied for 31 different jobs in a 3 week period. It was getting exhausting. Was I desperate for work? No, I just knew that Staff Academy was going to be over in a few months and thought I would just start jumping the gun. A few look backs and few close offers and all that, but still. No Dice. This is getting frustrating. So Heather talks to a couple of guys at Academy and they say that a lot of their spouses had to wait almost a YEAR before they were accepted for any of these jobs. A YEAR. A year. A year. A year. Give me a break. That's not doing much for my optimism.

Okay. So, I am constantly being told by Heather, that I don't have to work. That most military spouses don't work and that it's okay and all that other junk. Fine. I don't have to work. That's not the problem. I would like to work. But, I would like it to at the very least, pay off!! Here's our other dilema. Day Care and after school programs will tally roughly 1000 a month. Straight cost. That doesn't include Diapers, wipes, etc. Okay, then there's the overlying fact that, let's be honest, it costs less to live out here as far as cost of living. SO, wages aren't gonna be what they were in CA. Fine. No problem. It seems that even the entry level jobs are paying just over 8 dollars an hour. Do the math. Wanna hear something depressing? In 1989 I worked for Wasco County in Oregon working for the forestry department clearing Tansy Ragwart and Skeleton Weed from the Clear Cuts of Oregons forests. What's that mean? Doesn't matter. I made 8 bucks an hour at that job. Entry level. Summer job.

Now I have all the credentials and certifications and all that other CRAP and I'm still LEGAL to do this HazMat, Safety/Environmental work. Infact, it seems that even being California qualified, I sort of superceed any other states need for credentials by mine, alone. Anyway, you think any of that matters? Nope. This is the "good ol' boy network" out here. I don't have time to explain what all of that means but, again, I just got ANOTHER letter from MCCS Camp Lejeune saying that even though I was considered for the job of Safety/Environmental Officer for MCCS Camp Lejeune, they have decided to look at other outside agencies and they are sorry and all that other stuff and you know the rest, keep me on file and all that. So, here I am. I went to College before I joined the Marines. I am actually a pretty well educated man. I'm not incompetant. I don't spell the best sometimes, but that's what spell checker is for, right? If you use it. I rarely do. I studied hard in the Marines, I took courses through FEMA (yeah, that FEMA) for 2 years. Dealing in all areas from Hazardous Waste to Radiological Management to Disaster Relief, to affects on society in cases of Hazardous Waste and the Environmental impacts on communities when such control, and all that crap, I'm rambling, I gotta stop. What I'm trying to say is that, I'm not stupid. I actually went to school for this. Not only that, but I took it a step further while in the Marines and out of the Marines. Nebraska was a challenge trying to switch gears but lets face it. I really didn't. As most of my family know, I grew up in this business. I have been associated with the retail end of business and manufacturing and all that crap since I was 6 through my Dad. So, I just cheated and went to something that I tried to get away from years ago. It's just depressing.

Don't get me wrong. I love spending time with Mason. We have a great time. I love it. Plus, it is a relief not having to worry about day care and where the kids will go after school and before school and the community centers and all that other B.S. But, shit, man... if you asked me 5 years ago, where I see myself in 5 yrs, I would have told you that I would be consulting with other govt. contractors or other HazMat related companies. It just seemed like the natural progressive step. Infact, here's something that I think only Heather and a few select others knew. After Hazco, a lady I used to work with (Shannon) were going to try to start doing Consulting on our own for other Govt Contracts and other contracts associated with Safety Kleen and what used to be ENSCO. Well, as that was starting to take some "semi-shape" the Recruiting Screening team was rearing it's ugly head our way, and that's when we decided that we should shift gears and she should Volunteer instead of being selected so she had a chance to choose where to go. Believe it or not, we got to choose where we went. The list to choose from was Midwest only, though. Coulda been worse. If I remeber right, Indianapolis was where she was destined for.

I don't know.... I'ts just frustrating. This is my blog and I get to choose the topics, I guess. Well, looks like today's is about me bitching. If you're still reading at this point, thanks for hearing me out.

Before you go any further, know this. I don't blame Heather for a Damn bit of this. She's in the Marines. I was in the Marines. I know what she signed up for and I know what I signed up for. I've put that uniform on many times. I've been to over 9 countries before I met Heather. I get it. You don't have much of a say. I of all people understand that. Plus, I of all people when we were both in, told her NOT to get out. I was broken and didn't have much of a choice. She was debating getting out. It didn't make sense to me.

A lot of you know this already but a lot of my family doesn't, so I'm saying it for their benifit, that Heather knew what she wanted to be or do since the 7th GRADE. Can you believe that? You know what else? She's doing it. She wanted to be a Marines since the 7th Grade. I wanted to be an Astronaut! Didn't turn out so well for me. What did you want to be in the 7th grade? Bet you're not it, now!! How many people do you know, hell (this is the feminist mother that i had growing up coming out in me here,) how many WOMEN knew what you wanted to be and told yourself that you could do it at the 7th grade and DID IT? Not many, I suspect. I actually admire Heather. I tell her that she's living her dream. She is, she knows that, too. Who am I to EVER tell her to stop doing what she has wanted to do most of her life, at this point. I'll tell you, I'm not that kind of man. I was raised better than that. I will gladly step aside to watch the person I love live her dream. Every day she wakes up, she enjoys putting on her uniform. She is a rare breed in today's Marines. I admire that. Shit, I'm even jealous of that. I suspect most of you are jealous of that! Who wouldn't be? If your dream was to be a ballerina, and you grew up to be one, you'd be pretty god damn proud of yourself.

So, I'm not blaming Heather. I'm not even blaming the Marines. I suppose I'm blaming my Ms. Anderson, my 8th grade science teacher for making me passionate about science and chemisty for placing my interests in these subjects. Hell at that matter, I blame Mr. Fisher, my Senior Year English Teacher with allowing my the gift of unlocking my ability to write and speak effectively. I'm sure you're cursing him out, now as well. I don't blame you.

Well, I'm probably done.

53

So, today is February 18, 2007. I probably shouldn't do this, but today my Dad is 53. Three years ago, my Brother was getting married on the 21st. So, I was flying in to go to his wedding, and I had told my Dad that I wouldn't be there till just before the wedding, trying to surprise him for his birthday.

I flew in under the cover of darkness on the 17th. Hung out at my brother's house and chilled out for a day. On the 18th, my brother set up a time to meet my Dad at the Wooden Chicken Pub. (The Chicken is an icon in Portland, I'll dig into this one, some other day.) So, Greg tells my Dad that they'll just meet up and hang out and have a few drinks with my Uncle Tom (Dad's older Brother) and hang out. So, Uncle Tom, and Greg and I get to the Chicken and hang out before Dad get's there. Uncle Tom was a bit taken aback that I showed up and that was pretty cool, too. So, we see my Dad's Van roll up and I take off to the other side of the Pub, near where they are throwing darts. Dad walks in, sits down with the guys and I walk up and surprise my Dad. Cool moment. He was pretty happy. I hadn't been home in a couple of years at that point and it was good to see my Dad. I think he was just happy to have his two boys and his brother there and hang out and have a few drinks. Needless to say, it was a good time, and a great way to celebrate his 50th birthday. Today, I can't really do that. Nor can my brother and my uncle Tom. However, today is the Daytona 500, and my Dad loves racing. So, I'm sure he'll be watching that, and I'm not sure what Greg will do, and Uncle Tom will also be watching the Race. So, I'm not a big fan of racing, but I'm gonna watch it, cause I know my Dad will be. Every birthday I have, my Dad calls and says that he's holding a beer up, in my direction and having a drink to celebrate me. Well, pop, today, I'm gonna hold up a beer and celebrate you. I miss ya, Dad, and love you. Happy Birthday.

Mark

Blue and Gold

Yeah.. Yeah... I know, I haven't posted in quite a while. What can I say, I'm lazy. Deal with it.

On a serious note, last night we had Hayden's Blue and Gold Ceremony. This is basically like a pack meeting but bigger. This is where the scouts move up from their previous standings and on to their new ones. In Hayden's case, he officially became a Tiger and now has to move on to become a Wolf and then Bear and then Webelos, and then Boy Scout. So, he has moved up on the ladder, I suppose. It was a bit hectic. No organization. Imagine that. A scout troop run by mostly Marines and no organization. Pretty un-sat. Heather and I were not impressed. Most of us parents were a bit discouraged by that. Anyway, we did win an award. We got best Table. It was pretty cute and pretty fun. Kids had to decorate the Table cloth and all kinds of stuff. A lot of weeks of preperation, for one night. Worth it. Next is the Pinewood derby in March.

Car is still not done. I'm gonna take it to the hobby shop and have cut it. I seem to remeber that our Scroll Saw was givin to someone. Go figure. So, it's either that, or I go to the Depot and buy one. Not a chance.

See ya

Ronny, Peggy, and Benjamin Franklins

Yeah... I know. What the holy hell does Ronald Reagan have to do with my blog? Well, if any of you know me well enough... You know that the answer lies deep within, and I don't just tell you... I make you read and find out.

So, here we are. Ronny. Cowboy hat, all-american, good ol' boy. Now what, right? Well, here it is; I am actually a huge fan and admirer of a woman named Peggy Noonan. Peggy Noonan was the speech writer for Ronald Regan in the 80's. Articulate, smart, witty, and an extensive knowledge of the english language. I find myself a constant student of her forever expanding need to teach and describe things in such a brilliantly descriptive manner. Do I agree with her political ambitions or beliefs. No way. Little too right wing for my likings. Is she drinking the Kool-Aid on Bush and his Bush-ness? Gulp, Gulp. No thank you. However, I love her previous books about Reagan and about the english language and about speaking in genearal. (These were done in the 80's and early 90's.)

I suppose this could fit under the category of Books, or Authors. Yeah, I guess so, but, I don't want to. Plus, I love this image of Ronald Reagan. Best picture he ever took, in my opinion.

P.S. I may have some great news soon. Stay tuned.

Looks like I am going to be an Assistant Troop Leader for Hayden's Cub Scout Troop next year. As far and I'm concerned, and as the other parents are concerned, I already am, for this troop. Long story. Maybe I will elaborate later, in another post. So, next is the Wolf pack for Hayden. May have to gear the Blog to a Wolf theme. Or, maybe not.

Don't worry, this is not my hopefully great news. With any luck, the kids will be in day care, soon.

Must wait till Feb 21. (Heather's Graduation from Staff Academy, and the simultaneous crack from the starting gun for me to get back to work.) I've got 2 seperate things that should/may be coming to fruition by the mid to late Feb. Cross your fingers.

By the way, did you know what it costs for day care? Shit, this may be my next blog. Let me just say this, for the bare minimums, as far as day care goes for Mason, and a couple of hours a day for the older ones.... 1000.00/ per month. Ouch.

Oh well. Worth it, I guess. We'll soon find out.