Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Questioning Connubiality


Amendment
Originally uploaded by currtdawg.
So, along with my absentee ballot for President, I also received this nice little piece of paper asking if I am in favor of denying over 1,000 rights, benefits, privileges, protections, and responsibilities to a couple, just because they happen to be of the same gender. It's a shame there isn't a box for "Hell, No!"

Monday, September 27, 2004

Demon Crazy

I made my daily lunch trip to the post office today, and when I looked inside my box, I was pleasantly surprised for two reasons: 1) a wonderful little yellow package notice (new duds from Banana Republic); and 2) my absentee ballot. When I first saw it, I got all giddy like a school girl. "Woo-hoo! My chance to participate in our wonderful democracy!" Then I opened it and saw, listed on the paper, five (5) choices for President of the United States of America. They're listed in this order:

Bush (Republican Party)
Kerry (Democratic Party)
Peroutka (Constitution Party)
Nader (Independent)
Badnarik (Libertarian Party)

While researching Peroutka and Badnarik, I found out that there are 74 actual candidates. 74! That's crazy. It's a shame we have such a bi-partisan system that we barely hear about three.
So, anyway, I pretty much ruled out Peroutka and Badnarik (though Badnarik had a few redeeming qualities). And I think I've made it pretty obvious I'm not voting for Bush. Now I have a rather difficult decision to make. Nader's platform is the one most consistent with my values and morals, and major change in this country usually results due to the minority raising their voices; however, I realize, of the big two, Kerry is the "lesser of two evils," and a vote for Nader is basically a vote for Bush. So, I can vote with my heart, or I can use my vote to do the most good. I don't know what to do. Take care. No worries. God Bless.

Sunday, September 26, 2004

Gooooaaaal!


Paul and Caleb
Originally uploaded by currtdawg.
This is Paul and Caleb shortly after their MSOC Team victory over the Med Group (3-2) in intramural soccer yesterday. Way to go, fellas!

Friday, September 24, 2004

MC Jeni-Bomb

Dialogue from last night's PQ2:
Me: (in reference to a bill being presented before James Murphy's senator buddy) "Is it legit?"
Jeni-Bomb: (rapping) "Too legit! Too legit, legit!"
Me: "What?! Don't you mean 'Too legit to quit'?"
Jeni-Bomb: "Whatever."

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

I Think I'd Be Good For You

Hmmm, where do I start? Okay, so, Saturday night, we had our first official Group Bible Study at the newly re-opened Hospitality House. Our first Bible study was actually a DVD of this guy explaining his theory on creation. In a nutshell, he believes the Earth is about 6,000 years old and that dinosaurs and man lived on the Earth at the same time. (There's tons of other info, too, but those were the two statements that seem most unbelievable.) While he put forth some convincing evidence, I don't think I agree with everything he said. If you want to check it out, you can go to his website at http://drdino.com.
The weather in Misawa is crappy today. Rainy and chilly and just plain crappy. It's supposed to be crappy for another week. It makes me want to curl up on my couch and read.
This morning, I had a big interview with the Mental Health Clinic (which the Air Force, in all its political correctness, refers to as "Life Skills"). It's part of all the stuff I have to do for my cross train, and Mental Health is one of my choices, so it's probably a good thing they interviewed me. I mean, I wouldn't want some crazy person offering advice to another crazy person, right? Anyway, part of my interview was a 567 (that's right --567!) question personality test. It was rather interesting, to say the least. It kept asking me if I like to hurt animals and if I love my Mom. Weird. I finished the interview at 10:30 and decided to come home and take an extra long lunch. And yes, I'm enjoying it thoroughly.
Oh, I changed the title of my blog to just "the wax." I think it sounds cooler and there's probably something to be said for brevity...somewhere. Let me know what you think.
Here are a few websites to which I've been addicted recently:
http://theplug.net
http://dooce.com
http://www.fark.com
Anyway, I guess I'm going to brush my teeth and get back to work. I'm underneath a blanket on my couch, and it's so warm and cozy. I need some new candles in my living room. I miss Don. And Brad. And Melissa. I'm typing my stream of consciousness in order to delay going back to work. Take care. No worries. God Bless.

Monday, September 20, 2004

...back to the Good Life

Album of the Week:
"Pinkerton" by Weezer.
About two weeks ago, I put this album in my truck's CD player, and I haven't taken it out since. I've had the album for years, but I've never devoted this much time to it. I've deduced that it's basically about Rivers Cuomo's obsession with Japanese girls. Even the album artwork is Japanese. I don't know if that has anything to do with why I'm listening to it all of the sudden. Probably not. Regardless, it's got some great driving guitar and catchy So-Cal poppy tunes. It's defintely a relationship album, and Rivers seems to be wounded, but hopeful. I sing along with it in my car, and it's just out of my range, so I have to sing really loud and my voice cracks a little, but that kinda makes it fun.

Sunday, September 19, 2004

Serving Suggestion


Two Too Artificial
Originally uploaded by currtdawg.
So, I was chillin at the Hospitality House earlier tonight, socializing while drinking my Pepsi Twist (with artificial lemon flavoring). And Trish, the culinary master that she is, had prepared lemon bars (also with artificial lemon flavoring). Well, I am here to warn all readers that:
artificial lemon flavoring
+ artificial lemon flavoring
-----------------------
horrible taste!
I'm going to push to have the Surgeon General's Warning on these products, just in case anyone (like me) thinks it might be a good idea to mix two different kinds of artificial lemon flavoring. Don't say you haven't been warned.

Saturday, September 18, 2004

Cubans


Ryan and Me
Originally uploaded by currtdawg.
The Japanese in my shop threw a little party for us Friday night. Not for any particular reason. Just to have fun. We smoked cigars and I drank a little more than usual, but I had a good time.

Thursday, September 16, 2004

Tossed To and Fro

What a stressful week! And I still have one more day to go. Work is crazy. And when I say "crazy," I mean, "karayzee!" I've been very productive, but it seems the more productive I am, the more work keeps getting piled on. Decorations. EPRs. Inventories. Training new troops. And on top of all my regular work, I'm in the process of applying for my cross-train and an out-of-cycle DEROS extension. I suppose I should explain a little about that last thing. Due to the fact I was originally supposed to leave Misawa in July, but I waited until the last minute to re-enlist, I have busted my DEROS (due date to leave), and now MPF and PACAF are trying to get me out of here by November. And since I was told a few months ago by MPF I shouldn't have a problem staying here until October of '05, you can see how I am a little bamboozled. So now, I'm having to run around like a headless chicken getting endorsements and checklists and signatures to try to get all this paperwork through so I can stick around for another year. Yeah, it's stressing me out, but I guess if I didn't have the hard times, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the fun times.
Other news: I got a new cell phone on Sunday. Jimmy came over Sunday afternoon, and, out of boredom, we decided to go shopping (which is the worst reason ever to go shopping). So, I ended up getting this phone that's insanely small, but it's so cool. Every time someone new sees it, they say, "Is that a phone?" Like it's some kind of toy that doesn't really work. Kinda funny.
More other news: We're officially re-opening the Hospitality House tonight. I'm pretty excited about it. We had a big meeting on Saturday to decide which nights to be open and what to do each night. The whole deal is going to be run by us. Apparantly, Cadence won't be able to put a new family in the House for a few months, maybe even a year, so we've been told by Cadence and the Chapel to go ahead and use it, but we will be responsible for all activities, clean-up, etc. We're going to have social night on Thursdays, large group Bible study on Saturdays, and dinner after Chapel on Sundays. We'll see how this goes for a while, and possibly change things around in the future depending on how everyone's needs are getting met. I'm really hoping and praying it all works out okay.
Anyway, I'm going to take a little 45 minute disco nap to try to get rid of some of today's stress. Take care. No worries. God Bless.

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Anamnesis

Third anniversary of September eleventh.
...the people in those planes.
...the people in those buildings.
...the loved ones left behind.
Let it remind us to bring Christ's love to the world.

Friday, September 10, 2004

Erratic Thoughts For This Week

1. You know, if Mama Cass had just given Karen Carpenter that ham sandwich, they'd both be alive today.
2. We might as well have a team of monkeys working in the Military Personnel Flight.
3. I don't think we need to be digging up old Air National Guard records to discredit Bush. I mean, isn't that why we have his Presidential record?
4. One of these days, my habit of leaving burning candles unattended is really going to come back and bite me in the ass.
5. Few things in life are funnier than Trish Dinkins doing her impression of a Lipizzan horse.

Sunday, September 05, 2004

And the 4th thing I learned on my camping trip...


Chubby Bunny
Originally uploaded by currtdawg.
...is that Paul can fit 8 marshmallows in his mouth at one time. He tends to drool a little, though.

In the Rough

Went to the beach and camping with Paul, Trish, Kerry, Jimmy, Caleb, Dan, J.B., Chris, Krista, Kyle, and Joe. Had a really good time. Here are a few things I learned:
1. Never let Jimmy drive your chariot.
2. Never pee on a campfire.
3. Make sure there are no other campers around before you decide to drop your clothes and streak across the beach.
Please take this valuable information to heart, because we learned the hard way.
In other news, tomorrow is Labor Day, and I plan on doing absolutely nothing. The rest of the week is going to be kind of rough, I think. We have all this readiness stuff going on, and it's so ridiculous. Some things you just have to endure, though.
Paul, Trish, and I decided to try to do the China thing at the end of November, instead of October. We came across a great deal that also allows us a lot of options once we get there. We want to hit all the major stops (i.e. Shangai, Beijing, the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Yangtze River, etc.), but we also would like to just travel at our own leisure and see what we can find. Plus, our friend Tania is teaching English in a small town a couple hours from Shanghai, and we'd like to hook up with her, as well.
Anyway, I'm going to grab some food and chill out with a movie or something. Take care. No worries. God Bless.

Friday, September 03, 2004

Delayed

What a crazy week. So much adjusting. So, the Webers are gone. I miss them, but so much other stuff has been going on, I haven't had time to dwell on it. I'm still adjusting to having new bosses at work. I don't understand why people feel the need to come in and make so many changes. Nothing was wrong before. Plus, when you come in and revise things so drastically, you're bound to upset people. If you want to change things, fine; but a gradual change is much better for all involved parties. But enough ranting about work.
Justin and Jeff left today, but I wasn't really upset about seeing them go. It's not like I won't miss them. They're both great guys and great friends. But I'm so happy for them (they're both entering the civilian world), that my sorrow was overshadowed by my excitement that they're going on to much cooler things. Melissa leaves next Friday, and I think I will be bummed about that. She and I have really been through some shit together, and supported each other through so much. But, she's going to Nellis (my old stomping grounds), and she's going to have a blast. I think I'm going to visit her in March while I'm in the States. The both of us on the loose in Vegas could spell trouble, but it will be a hell of a lot of fun, too.
Anyway, I'm supposed to go out tonight with a few friends, so I'm going to take a nap first. The air show is Sunday, which means about 300,000 Japanese people will be swarming Misawa. And where will I be? Far, far away. I think some of us are going camping this weekend. It should be a good time. More to come later. Take care. No worries. God Bless.