Sunday, August 31, 2008
I Love it When She is Excited
I love it when my wife is excited about things, she is so cute, I just can't stand it. I can't wait to talk to her about the visitor that is coming to KC.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
If I Were an American Idol
Someday, I would like to start a punk band.
I would like to start a punk band that has inaudbile lyrics, that plays short, fast and loud. We would be using nothing more than three chords in songs that last no more than a few seconds. Maybe there would be a drum intro or a base interlude. One thing is for sure, there would be no solos, only single note guitar riffs thrown into a song here and there to break up the monotony. I would call my band The Ted Kennedys or Class Suspect. Jello Biafra would be my effigy and Kurt Cobain my figurehead. I would pick a fight with Henry Rollins, get an autograph from Jerry Only and give the middle finger to Metallica.
I would drape an American flag over our touring gear, the red, white and blue would be the only color on our black stage and black amps. We would wear black suits and ties w/ white shirts and dark sunglasses. We would look like cast rejects from a Tarantino movie. We would perform in a moderately-sized concert hall behind a chain link fence. We would be a trio, nothing more, nothing less. No fancy drum kits or machines, no frilly keyboards, no lead guitar. Just the three of us.
I would perform with my back constantly facing the crowd only to turn around for the occasional acknowlegment. Our shows would be simple, get on stage, get off stage. No commercials, no product placement, no thanking the opening act, no words, just one song after the other, straightforward and to-the-point. If we did a good job and the audience wanted an encore, I would return to the stage only to retrieve my guitar, so that no one would steal it. We would tune our own guitars and set up our stage. We would play behind red spot lights that shine behind us, perhaps a stroble light facing out toward the crowd would be in order.
In the end, we would be nothing more than a no-name, talentless, rip off punk band playing the same three recycled chords every other punk band played before us. However, we would be different, we would play the same three chords, but we would play them in the wrong order.
I would like to start a punk band that has inaudbile lyrics, that plays short, fast and loud. We would be using nothing more than three chords in songs that last no more than a few seconds. Maybe there would be a drum intro or a base interlude. One thing is for sure, there would be no solos, only single note guitar riffs thrown into a song here and there to break up the monotony. I would call my band The Ted Kennedys or Class Suspect. Jello Biafra would be my effigy and Kurt Cobain my figurehead. I would pick a fight with Henry Rollins, get an autograph from Jerry Only and give the middle finger to Metallica.
I would drape an American flag over our touring gear, the red, white and blue would be the only color on our black stage and black amps. We would wear black suits and ties w/ white shirts and dark sunglasses. We would look like cast rejects from a Tarantino movie. We would perform in a moderately-sized concert hall behind a chain link fence. We would be a trio, nothing more, nothing less. No fancy drum kits or machines, no frilly keyboards, no lead guitar. Just the three of us.
I would perform with my back constantly facing the crowd only to turn around for the occasional acknowlegment. Our shows would be simple, get on stage, get off stage. No commercials, no product placement, no thanking the opening act, no words, just one song after the other, straightforward and to-the-point. If we did a good job and the audience wanted an encore, I would return to the stage only to retrieve my guitar, so that no one would steal it. We would tune our own guitars and set up our stage. We would play behind red spot lights that shine behind us, perhaps a stroble light facing out toward the crowd would be in order.
In the end, we would be nothing more than a no-name, talentless, rip off punk band playing the same three recycled chords every other punk band played before us. However, we would be different, we would play the same three chords, but we would play them in the wrong order.
The Wait
10 long days. 10 long days until I find out if I got the position I applied for. What will happen in between then and now? Lets see, Saturday, I am going to eat dinner with my in-laws, that should be fun. Sunday, I am going on a special date night with KT to a drive-in. I have to mow the lawn and organize our files. I have to prepare for my Boston trip and keep in shape these last couple of days before my PT test. I haven't worked out for the past 5 days and now I have to make up for it. Hopefully, time will fly by over these next 10 days. Not that I want to leave KT in any way, I just wanna know the result of my interview.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Shine
Well, I have my job interview tomorrow, I hope I can sleep, I hope I will be prepared, I hope I do a good job. To motivate me, I am publishing the lyrics Henry Rollins wrote while in the Rollings Band. I listened to this in high school, it gets me pumped up and the lyrics are pretty true to life.
If I’d listened everything that they said to me, I wouldnt be here!
And if I took the time to bleed from all the tiny little arrows shot my way,I wouldnt be here!
And if I took the time to bleed from all the tiny little arrows shot my way,I wouldnt be here!
The ones who don’t do anything are always the ones who try to put you down
And you could spend your entire life walking around
In the nowhere land of self doubt
‘cuz when you start to doubt yourself the real world will eat you alive!
Its time, its time to align your body with your mind, its hero time
Its time, its time to align your body with your mind, its hero time
‘cuz when you start to doubt yourself the real world will eat you alive!
And you know its true!
Im talking to you: hero time starts right now! yeah, hero time, yeah,
Time to shine, hey, hero time!
If ya think you’ve got 100 years to mess around: you’re wrong!
This time its real, your time is now . . . its hero time!
Yeah, hero time,hey, time to shine, yeah, hero time, yeah!
Hard times are gettin harder, the liars are acting strong
You better get a grip on yourself or you wont be around too long
Its hero time, hey, time to shine, yeah, hero time, yeah, hero time, yeah!
Its hero time, its hero time, time to shine, shine, shine, shine, shine!
Oh yeah!
No such thing as spare time, no such thing as free time
Crime Analyst
So earlier, I said I worked as a dispatcher for an unnamed Police Department. Actually, more technically, I work as a Tactical Operations Specialist, which sounds cooler. I joined the department a year and a half ago, always with the intention of transferring to the Crime Analysis division. I have wanted this job for a long time now, and finally they have an opening. However, I am not the only one who applied.
Lets look at the facts: It is one job for about 8 applicants. My competition consists of my fellow TOS co-workers, of which two have master's degrees in criminal justice and social work. Additionally, two other applicants are police officers with at least three years of experience. However, I know I am the only Army-trained, government intel analyst that has an undergrad degree in poli sci as well as an Associate's in Intel Operations. Not to mention, numerous deployments and professional development courses in civil-military relations. I only hope this provides enough diversity to set me apart from my competition. I am nervous as hell, I know I am qualified, I am just trying to figure out the "sell" angle to my interview on Friday. How can I sell myself? How can I prove that I am more qualified than two people w/ master's degrees and two police officers? What are the best, most select words to tell the interviewers? Even still, on my resume, I mistyped a damn word. The question here, would now be do I apologize for the typo or let it slide? I have decided I will apologize for it on account of the lack of time I had to prepare my application.
Its not that I hate my TOS job, it is fun, and I love my shift. It is just that intel and analysis is more my forte and teh 8-5 hours M-F is a lot better too, but that is only a fringe benefit.
Lets look at the facts: It is one job for about 8 applicants. My competition consists of my fellow TOS co-workers, of which two have master's degrees in criminal justice and social work. Additionally, two other applicants are police officers with at least three years of experience. However, I know I am the only Army-trained, government intel analyst that has an undergrad degree in poli sci as well as an Associate's in Intel Operations. Not to mention, numerous deployments and professional development courses in civil-military relations. I only hope this provides enough diversity to set me apart from my competition. I am nervous as hell, I know I am qualified, I am just trying to figure out the "sell" angle to my interview on Friday. How can I sell myself? How can I prove that I am more qualified than two people w/ master's degrees and two police officers? What are the best, most select words to tell the interviewers? Even still, on my resume, I mistyped a damn word. The question here, would now be do I apologize for the typo or let it slide? I have decided I will apologize for it on account of the lack of time I had to prepare my application.
Its not that I hate my TOS job, it is fun, and I love my shift. It is just that intel and analysis is more my forte and teh 8-5 hours M-F is a lot better too, but that is only a fringe benefit.
Great Bend
I am trying to catch up on here, I have been busy on my days off sleeping. Actually, I went with my Dad and my brother to a work conference for Media Relations and the Judicial system. Thats right, on my day off I decided to fulfill my civics requirement for the month.
Actually, it is just a chance to spend time with my Dad and my brother in Central Kansas, some place I have not been in forever. I have spent so much time in Kansas City, I am beginning to think the state ends West of Topeka. Still, the 3 hour drive out to Great Bend was pretty. I love watching the state roll by as we drive west on I-70 highway. I think the lush, green, rolling plains, and the tree-filled draws are beautiful. Everytime we drive out there, I think of what life would have been like in the only other time period, I wish I would have lived in, the 1800s. I would love nothing more than to pacify the West while on horseback in some Cavalry unit assigned to an outpost deep in Indian Country. Oh well, the scenery hasn't changed much, the prairies are still there, and I can still see them pretty much like the settlers did 150 years ago. One thing that was different, was a wind farm, just west of Salina. It was pretty cool to see hundreds of windmills generating electricity, I will have to post a pic or two later on. Otherwise, the city of Great Bend wasn't so spectacular. It was just like any other small town. I have been unable to sleep as well, since I am still on a night schedule for work. Speaking of which, I should end this entry and begin another one to talk about the job I am applying for.
Actually, it is just a chance to spend time with my Dad and my brother in Central Kansas, some place I have not been in forever. I have spent so much time in Kansas City, I am beginning to think the state ends West of Topeka. Still, the 3 hour drive out to Great Bend was pretty. I love watching the state roll by as we drive west on I-70 highway. I think the lush, green, rolling plains, and the tree-filled draws are beautiful. Everytime we drive out there, I think of what life would have been like in the only other time period, I wish I would have lived in, the 1800s. I would love nothing more than to pacify the West while on horseback in some Cavalry unit assigned to an outpost deep in Indian Country. Oh well, the scenery hasn't changed much, the prairies are still there, and I can still see them pretty much like the settlers did 150 years ago. One thing that was different, was a wind farm, just west of Salina. It was pretty cool to see hundreds of windmills generating electricity, I will have to post a pic or two later on. Otherwise, the city of Great Bend wasn't so spectacular. It was just like any other small town. I have been unable to sleep as well, since I am still on a night schedule for work. Speaking of which, I should end this entry and begin another one to talk about the job I am applying for.
Fad Words
O trans fats, carbs, electrolytes, big oil, staged redeployment, phased withdrawl, strategic reset, WMD, time horizon, re-imaginging. What in the hell do all of these words mean? That’s what is annoying about salesmen, they are always trying to sound official about the products and ideas they sell. What is more annoying still, are the people that buy into it. What is an electrolyte anyway? Since when was it bad to eat bread? Isn’t it a grain, and thus a part of the four food groups, or a rung on the food pyramid? These sales pitches are so good, they have people going to restaurants and ordering a “wrap” or a burger w/o the bun and a diet coke. The only thing I have to ask is if they want it Biggie or super-sized?
What is a phased withdrawl or a strategic reset? These are words that come from politicians that buy into popular pressure from civilians that haven’t the slightest clue on warfighting. To me, these are phrases that all look to take the initiative from the allies and cede it to the enemy, whoever the enemy may be of the week.
Like a fad, these are the buzzwords of the year. They are words and phrases thought up by a corporate board or a think tank somewhere. These are words without definition and plenty of ambiguity. These are words that, like any fad, go out of style with time, thus loosing their relevance as time progresses.
What is a phased withdrawl or a strategic reset? These are words that come from politicians that buy into popular pressure from civilians that haven’t the slightest clue on warfighting. To me, these are phrases that all look to take the initiative from the allies and cede it to the enemy, whoever the enemy may be of the week.
Like a fad, these are the buzzwords of the year. They are words and phrases thought up by a corporate board or a think tank somewhere. These are words without definition and plenty of ambiguity. These are words that, like any fad, go out of style with time, thus loosing their relevance as time progresses.
Monday, August 25, 2008
My First Day of This 2
My First Day of This 2
In following in my wife’s footsteps, I decided to start a blog as well. My main reason for this however, is to provide me with something to do at night while I am at work. However, I think, this will help maintain my sanity too, help organize my thoughts and if nothing else, help with my grammar and punctuation. I am only writing this though, for one person and one person only, the love of my life KT. I do know one thing, I have learned more about her on her site than I ever did in real life. We have excellent communication, but no matter how someone slices it, you can always learn more from reading their stream-of-thought, than you can in clear, concise, organized conversation.
Anyway, here is more about me. I work for an unnamed city as a police dispatcher, it is an okay job. I have fun w/ my co-workers and talking to the fine citizens of the city leaves me feeling fulfilled and rewarded. However, the job is incredibly stressful and the hours suck. Since I am the low man on the totem pole, it doesn’t look like my hours will change anytime soon.
In addition to the PD, I am a 35F30 for the Army @ Fort Leavenworth. I currently work in a MIAT for an MIO assigned to the DIA, that is supported by the MIRC in our SIG which used to be an MID, all of which occurred while I was in the USAR as an NCO with the rank of an SSG, formerly though, I was an SGT. Enough said for the Army.
As for the blog’s name, The Damage Done? I think it sounds cool, not like most blogs you read out there. Personally, I find European Romantics and Progressives cheesy, uninspiring, and naïve. Much like I find most European progressives of today, trendy, flashy and boring. I guess that is why I have taken a liking to Sacha Cohen’s character Bruno, much like Borat. Despite my feelings of trendy Europeans, the name holds nothing more for me than the name itself. Discipline of The Sword just sounds cool.
In following in my wife’s footsteps, I decided to start a blog as well. My main reason for this however, is to provide me with something to do at night while I am at work. However, I think, this will help maintain my sanity too, help organize my thoughts and if nothing else, help with my grammar and punctuation. I am only writing this though, for one person and one person only, the love of my life KT. I do know one thing, I have learned more about her on her site than I ever did in real life. We have excellent communication, but no matter how someone slices it, you can always learn more from reading their stream-of-thought, than you can in clear, concise, organized conversation.
Anyway, here is more about me. I work for an unnamed city as a police dispatcher, it is an okay job. I have fun w/ my co-workers and talking to the fine citizens of the city leaves me feeling fulfilled and rewarded. However, the job is incredibly stressful and the hours suck. Since I am the low man on the totem pole, it doesn’t look like my hours will change anytime soon.
In addition to the PD, I am a 35F30 for the Army @ Fort Leavenworth. I currently work in a MIAT for an MIO assigned to the DIA, that is supported by the MIRC in our SIG which used to be an MID, all of which occurred while I was in the USAR as an NCO with the rank of an SSG, formerly though, I was an SGT. Enough said for the Army.
As for the blog’s name, The Damage Done? I think it sounds cool, not like most blogs you read out there. Personally, I find European Romantics and Progressives cheesy, uninspiring, and naïve. Much like I find most European progressives of today, trendy, flashy and boring. I guess that is why I have taken a liking to Sacha Cohen’s character Bruno, much like Borat. Despite my feelings of trendy Europeans, the name holds nothing more for me than the name itself. Discipline of The Sword just sounds cool.
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