nothing crazy interesting going on, I suppose. but then, I don't update this thing near enough because I am rather mondaine about my day to day. If I were to wait around for earth-shattering events, however, it'd NEVER get updated, huh?
sooooooooo. anyway. the last few days. My mother was in town over the weekend to visit for her mother's 79th birthday. a great gathering of the families ensued. It's a HUGE family. A big part of this is because my grandparents are actually in their second marriage as both of their first spouses died many years ago. My grandfather is actually my step-grandfather, but since they have been married since before I was born, he has always been my grandfather. so yeah...big families. my brother made it up from Corpus. During the course of the weekend he managed to run his newly bought Nissan Titan pickup truck onto a curb and have to get towed off of it. (you'd have to know my brother). but I did also get to see my nephew, who is an adorable little kid. I'm glad to be his uncle. Got a bit overwhelmed with the gathering. large gatherings tend to wear on me, but it was nice to at least say hello to everyone that I neglect to keep in contact with.
I'm getting ready for my two week annual training with the Marines. It begins this weekend and goes on through the next two (nice of them to work THREE weekends into a two week training. fuckers.) it's amazing how much crap I have to take for a two week excursion, even if it does include kevlar helmets, body armor, and such. (purely for training purposes). I bought a whole new load of travable (it's a word...because I've just made it up) toilitries (toothpaste and the like). it's funny; we have to adhere to the normal air travel rules since we will be taking a commerical flight to Virginia. Nevermind that we'll be traveling with our assault rifles and light machine guns.
TSA: "Yessir please wait over there with your M-16 while I check your carry on luggage for containers of shampoo, and GOD FORBID you should have any toenail clippers packed in here!"
so.yeah.
we'll be in Quantico, VA doing I have no idea what for a couple weeks. It doesn't sound nearly as interesting as last year's jaunt to the Dutch Antillies. But there is a possibility of a helicopter ride. even if it means jumping out of it into a bunch of mud and low crawling to the treeline.
I am and am not at the same time looking forward to it. being a Sergeant now makes things a bit different. I have to be all responsible and stuff.
work continues to suck and I am definitely looking for something else. The job I applied for through the State Dept. didn't pan out, so I'm back at square one again. I'll keep looking. I did get an offer to go back on active duty in the intel field rather then the infantry. if things keep going this way, I'll seriously consider it. But in any case, I'd like to be doing something else by the beginning of next year.
Very much looking forward to my trip in October to go and see all the good people up in NYC and then off to Budapest and Romania. I recieved a pretty thorough Romainan beginner's course through Amazon today. I had purchased it along with a new copy of Tom Waits' Rain Dogs and the Miami Vice soundtrack (which I am listening to now, and it's not bad. good mix. )
other than that I can sum it up with MORE RAIN and mmmm Americone Dream. also my cat is insane. and very cute.
that's MORE than enough for now.
sooooooooo. anyway. the last few days. My mother was in town over the weekend to visit for her mother's 79th birthday. a great gathering of the families ensued. It's a HUGE family. A big part of this is because my grandparents are actually in their second marriage as both of their first spouses died many years ago. My grandfather is actually my step-grandfather, but since they have been married since before I was born, he has always been my grandfather. so yeah...big families. my brother made it up from Corpus. During the course of the weekend he managed to run his newly bought Nissan Titan pickup truck onto a curb and have to get towed off of it. (you'd have to know my brother). but I did also get to see my nephew, who is an adorable little kid. I'm glad to be his uncle. Got a bit overwhelmed with the gathering. large gatherings tend to wear on me, but it was nice to at least say hello to everyone that I neglect to keep in contact with.
I'm getting ready for my two week annual training with the Marines. It begins this weekend and goes on through the next two (nice of them to work THREE weekends into a two week training. fuckers.) it's amazing how much crap I have to take for a two week excursion, even if it does include kevlar helmets, body armor, and such. (purely for training purposes). I bought a whole new load of travable (it's a word...because I've just made it up) toilitries (toothpaste and the like). it's funny; we have to adhere to the normal air travel rules since we will be taking a commerical flight to Virginia. Nevermind that we'll be traveling with our assault rifles and light machine guns.
TSA: "Yessir please wait over there with your M-16 while I check your carry on luggage for containers of shampoo, and GOD FORBID you should have any toenail clippers packed in here!"
so.yeah.
we'll be in Quantico, VA doing I have no idea what for a couple weeks. It doesn't sound nearly as interesting as last year's jaunt to the Dutch Antillies. But there is a possibility of a helicopter ride. even if it means jumping out of it into a bunch of mud and low crawling to the treeline.
I am and am not at the same time looking forward to it. being a Sergeant now makes things a bit different. I have to be all responsible and stuff.
work continues to suck and I am definitely looking for something else. The job I applied for through the State Dept. didn't pan out, so I'm back at square one again. I'll keep looking. I did get an offer to go back on active duty in the intel field rather then the infantry. if things keep going this way, I'll seriously consider it. But in any case, I'd like to be doing something else by the beginning of next year.
Very much looking forward to my trip in October to go and see all the good people up in NYC and then off to Budapest and Romania. I recieved a pretty thorough Romainan beginner's course through Amazon today. I had purchased it along with a new copy of Tom Waits' Rain Dogs and the Miami Vice soundtrack (which I am listening to now, and it's not bad. good mix. )
other than that I can sum it up with MORE RAIN and mmmm Americone Dream. also my cat is insane. and very cute.
that's MORE than enough for now.
You should check out the 2600 field if your going to do intel. SIGINT ftw