dad. veteran. corpsman. geek. human resource. patriot.
"Life's is not about how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward"
I am Natalia's daddy! My latest happenings as well as my lil' girls happenings will be posted here as I live them.
I like to read science fiction, fantasy as well as classics and comics. Always looking for recommendations. Like to play video games and board games. Love to watch old movies and shows, as I find them relaxing and entertaining. Last but not least. like to feed the birds and do some gardening.
Proud to be a US Navy Corpsman veteran and part of the Southwest Region Funeral Honor Guard.
" . . . and on the 8th day the Lord created the Corpsman and the Devil stood at attention."
"In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex . . ."
"Tell your story. That's the secret of immortality. The one true way to live forever. "
"We live as we dream. Alone"
"Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway."
I just love these type of holidays that have turned into meaningless commercialization. Easter is the day, as with all holidays where people have a reason to flock the stores to buy decorations. The day so many think is about a bunny, but not just a bunny. A rabbit that lays eggs. With this being said some people think rabbits lay eggs. Of course a person like myself has fun with this tid-bit of information. So I ask, when the rabbit eggs go on sale and are they cheaper than chicken eggs? It does get a few people to wonder. I will continue to research the real reason where rabbits and eggs came from. The eggs came may be interpreted as the empty tomb where Christ was laid. By the way, it is not a cute little bunny but a wild hare that the tradition spread. Well in case I just insulted you, I am not sorry. Take a few seconds of your "busy" life and find out just a little bit about why this day is celebrated. With that being said, I took Natalia to the local festivities which I liked being a small town. Right after we went to Lake Arrowhead where they were pretty much rushed and pictures were taken. Talk about commercialization of a holiday as they were charging minimum $20 per picture. Wow, sorry, I just turned around and left them hanging with their sales pitch.
"You mix your Wheaties with your mama's toe jam!"
- Ham Porter, Sandlot
I told another fellow Doc about my deployment and turns out he too got a call days prior for also a deployment the same month. Still no official orders telling us where we will be stationed. It would be awesome to serve together but I don't have my hopes up for that. I actually hope it is not in Germany. If I am leaving my daughter for an extended amount of time I want to be in the "big show" getting my hands dirty saving lives. Learning and experiencing that. The initial shock has worn off for now and I am actually excited. Excited to be able to do this in my lifetime. Among the many things I have done and places I've been this has been one that I have been wanting to deep down inside. To do the job of a Corpsman in a theater. This will definitely be a high in my life and an accomplishment I will carry very close to my heart forever.
My reading slowed down quite a bit for a few days as I couldn't concentrate due to the news received. However, I did finish Wolves of the Calla and went on to Earthbound to finalize the Marsbound trilogy. Finished Earthbound last night and now looking at my shelves for my next book.
Decided to pick up Bioshock: Inifinite and played it a bit Wednesday night. Pretty game and one I look forward to finishing. Haven't picked up a game in a few weeks and I felt like shooting something on Wednesday. Below is a trailer for a short film made by a few Docs on their stay at the Role 3 Hospital in Kandahar This is the place I hope to serve my time.
I received on Wednesday morning a call from the NOSC (Navy Operationl Support Center) informing me that I have been tagged for deployment late September. News like this catches everyone by surprise followed by some degree of shock and I was not the exception. I know it will be a roller coaster of emotions for me but there is more of an upside to this than downside. I don't have any doubts on my skills or job ethic as I was well trained and the training received concentrates on the most basic skills that are embedded in all of us corpsmen. Downside for me is clearly the separation from my daughter but I know time will move quick and everything in the end will be good with her and me. I do expect my ex to use this to try to screw me but the upside is I have legal aid to help and the money I will make from this new adventure will help me get financially settled for years to come. The big upside is I can now put this down on my life resume. I did many things so many can only dream of and came very close to dreams. To add this will top it off. As I say - "I'm going to the big show" but not only going to the big show, but going to do the best and most honorable job possible. The job of a U.S. Navy Corpsman, to follow an honorable and great tradition. To actually personally save the lives of people. Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers. To be able to get them home to their own families and lives. In the end in a matter of a few months I will have done so many things in my life. Things many can not even imagine. I know I can be very political and opinionated and it is no secret I, like many service members don't agree with current policies and actions but we do it. It is our job and we do it next to our brothers and sisters to get them home safe. I am simply here to take care of my Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers. That simple. Pictured is HM3 Balisi on his way to "the big show". I do hope to see his familiar face there.
Finally sat down and watched two movies. Watched Argo and Zero Dark Thirty. I will only write a little here on my thoughts. I know Argo was a movie funded by the CIA so there is definitely an agenda there but it is still a historic adaptation and I will like to find out the actual turn of events. It is a movie that to me points out that the CIA was behind the original movie and I believe continues to be behind other media projects which in turn are pushing an agenda to the people through movies and media. I ran across this link that tells a little behind the "movie" known as Argo based on Roger Zelazny's Lord of Light which is a book I will be reading. Zero Dark Thirty I found very good in the sense that it made me feel something inside. The passion for a person to continue through the red tape. I did get a little worked up on the nonsense meetings but that is politics. We will never know the actual turn of events and actual accomplishments of this mission but I am one that wants to believe such stories.
My rant posts to my surprise have been getting views and really no backlash. Not that I care about the comments as I have learned over the years as I was there from the beginnings of this media and the birth of "social media" to know people love to hate and complain. I always laugh to see the back and forth fighting among people online. As if they knew the other person. So I asked myself this week - What happened to nicknames? Why do we no longer use nicknames? I know in other parts of the world it was very normal to have nicknames and them be used instead of your name most of the time. Here in the U.S. that tradition died a long time ago. I ask myself if it is also dead in Europe and latin countries around the world. I feel the loss of this tradition is a factor for our problems today Did people become too "delicate" to not like nick names? Maybe this was the first cause of the "dumbing" down of our society. My nickname was "cacaito" nowadays it may be insulting to some as it was used by my friends in Spain and describes a small dark person. It was an honor to receive a nickname as it showed likeness and acceptance from others.
Bioshock Infinite has launched and it is touted as the best looking game and possibly the best game to day. I haven't played much games or even purchased any new ones in some months but this one seems like it will break my piggy bank. Also great news from Gearbox as they made the official announcements for my favorite game that is Borderlands 2. In short we will see level cap to 61, new DLC, 3rd playthrough option, new rarer weapons and new character. All will be spread out in the next weeks. What's an old boy like me to do? Two games and a stack of books to get through. Life is good in the meantime.
Spring is here and it feels like it, but I've been up here many years to know not to put out my spring stuff as we still will get more snow. So that means I still have to wait a bit before planting my donut seeds. Spent sometime with Natalia out in the forest as she is very lucky to have this pretty much as her backyard. We did some walking out by Deep Creek, Lake Gregory and Keller Peak and I can tell you that she walks fast. Hopefully I have my future hiking and running partner. On my weekly trip to the local thrift store I found many younger faces "volunteering" and prices went up. I hope this is not a "group" taking over the shop and raising prices. They simply will shut down like the so many local shops here. Hopefully it was just for the weekend as the senior center still running the inside. But like many good things, they end up going away due to greediness.
"It's fun to have fun but you have to know how"
- Dr. Seuss
Got my taxes finally done at a free tax place after I took them to HR Block for a quote and I have to pay less when prepared by the free place. Yes, I always pay. I did get some advice but I am sure my ex will not agree as she is very materialistic and when money is involved, evil comes out.
Still reading Wolves of the Calla (Darktower V) and it is moving at a decent pace. Was hoping to be farther along as I have a nice stack of books I want to read. I want to read Earthbound next and finish that trilogy as that should be a fast read. Also thinking of re-reading Leviathan Wakes but I was hoping to leave the space opera genre for my next big read. Picked up some Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle classics this weekend. So many stories I want to read and not enough time. I did find a pretty nice used book store in Crestline.
Haven't played any video games in some time and eagerly awaiting the new Borderlands 2 DLC and character. Gears of War: Judgement is out now and Bioshock Infinite out by end of March. Bioshock is definitely a game I want to play. Been checking out the Day Z Mod game and looks pretty awesome. I came across this awesome action figure of Iron Man Patriot edition and would love to have this decorating my place. So feel free to get it for me.
Geek News - Robert Redford may be in the next Captain America movie as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. He must be a fan because he is very picky on his roles. World War Z is coming in a few months and I know it is said the book is better, but the trailers are cool, The U.S. Navy is in it and Brad Pitt ('nuff said).
Below I posted the trailer for the new Riddick movie which looks pretty good.
Not much happening with my life lately. Same boredom which is welcomed in my world. Went a little crazy at the used bookstore this week but I should have enough material for about two months or more. I have had two friends now point to me to the TV series Duck Dynasty as something I may like. It has also been pointed out to me what I see as a new phenomenon, that is mountain biking becoming mainstream. Seems more and more high schools are taking in the sport of mountain biking as part of their programs. I know up here there has been one for years but it looks like it is spreading and I feel it is very awesome. Awesome in the sense that so many kids that would be stuck in their cities and never see past the stop sign in a sense are getting to go out and see nature and our world. The world is not parking lots and stores but life that is nature. I do miss my mountain bikes and would love to find such a program where I can lend my extensive knowledge and experience (video below). Also thanks to the No Agenda Show and listeners for the awesome artwork displayed here.
"Why fit when you were born to stand out?"
- Dr. Seuss
Again fighting with Burrtec which is the local forced trash pick up service. For years we just dropped off our trash at the dumpster up here. Then a politician decided to give the service to a commercial company which of course billed us and provided pick up which was erratic during the winter. Of course fees went up yearly and continue to do so. Now they stopped picking up from me and when I called I was first trying to get a sales pitch and found out I am paying for a service that doesn't pick up. So why am I paying? But you all know the answer. We pay, pay, pay and get screwed. We have placed a system of political corruption on us over the many years. Paychecks get smaller but fees go up and more services are forced upon us.
Another thing I would like to point out. I work for the U.S. Navy part of my time as many know but like many of us we don't agree on what the government is doing. Invading and secretly overthrowing so many governments for our agenda (you have Navy General Ham fired for trying to send aid during the Benghazi killings as he was told to stand down. You can read between the lines here). This causes the death of so many but we are more concerned about locking up a few weapons and forcing law abiding citizens to submit. Point aside I was to comment on the latest topic which is North Korea. Dennis Rodman goes up there and he gets laughs but he brought a message back, which is that our President call them. We refuse to call them until they stop producing or having nuclear weapons. We are very ignorant to think we can have them but force everyone else not to. Which country would feel safe knowing they cant "protect:" themselves but the U.S. (Soon to be socialist states of America) can have them? Then we have Don Gregg, ex ambassador to South Korea visit North Korea and bring the same message back. They want to talk and stop all this nonsense but we refuse to. Instead we are spending more money putting up these lame missiles and systems pointing towards them. Hey, morons! Do you not remember the "Bay Of Pigs" affair? But while this is going on we are invading all kinds of countries all over the African continent. But many just ask yourselves; Did Kim Kardashian just loose weight?
Since I'm on my rant here (I figure I will piss off a few of you), I want to ask why do people on "food stamps" and government aid file taxes and actually receive a good chuck of money in return? As if being paid to take free money. Plus why do they hold up my line to pay for a 68 cent piece of candy with the welfare card which many times they need help using because many don't know how to swipe and put in the PIN. Then pull out a hundred dollar bill for the rest of the few items not covered by my money, sorry government aid money. Outrageous. This is exactly where our debt is coming from. I love coupon shoppers because they are using their money and trying to save it and not sucking on the government $&%. That was my short rant.
Finished reading Starbound in about a day and found the story to move along but for about a hundred pages it got stuck telling of their lives inside the ship. I will definitely be reading Earthbound to see how it all ends for us humans. Was hoping to hit the local used book stores on Sunday for some other books but they were all closed. So I find myself looking at my book shelf and chose The Wolves of the Calla (Darktower V). Looks like I will finish the series this year.
Again the results for a race were spoiled by the internet. It is impossible nowadays to be in the dark on events. However I managed to find decent footage of the Milan San Remo race online and enjoyed it. A brutal race much like Tirreno Adriatico a few days earlier. Horrible weather and the traditional 300kms of the event. I find myself lately wanting to following cycling a bit more and hope it continues as we are approaching many of the classics in the coming weeks.
That day is here again. The day of my birth! The day humanity was blessed with my presence (Ok I'm full of myself). How old? Hmmmm. However, I tend to celebrate internally is March 17. Not because it is St. Patrick's day but because it was the day my life was changed drastically in a blink. Ironic it happened on the day we celebrate as the day of good luck.
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is Youer than You."
- Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!
I find myself thinking of the good memories and very few come out. Out of my many years cycling and all the places I've been I have great memories of the mountain bike day trips crammed up in my friend Ed's small pick up truck. The rides with the old guys from Team Dirty Work in Riverside and the times with "J". Lately nothing compares and this needs to be fixed in my "next 30 years" as the song says. No, I don't need to stop smoking or drinking as I never started. Just need to create more good times to remember.
The temperatures have changed to more spring like weather and decided to unwrapped my barbecues and do some cooking. A few days ago I was shoveling about a foot of snow and now I am outside barbecuing got to love California. Checking out fishing gear as I am getting the urge to hit Deep Creek with Natalia. I doubt any trout will be present. But we will hit other spots. Even if I don't catch anything I still like to go out and walk. However, Natalia again sick with fever and not her normal self and many sleepless nights for me. I nursed her and she is much better now.
Again at work I was approached and offered a position as supervisor in the back room. This means full time and a little less time with Natalia. I know I can do the job no problem. Just will take some adjusting and seeing how far I can push the department managers to get their job done. I may end up being too much of a "hard ass" which people never seen. I'm afraid I may take my military side and apply it there. Most likely I will decline again as the pay is not much greater and that extra day with Natalia is more to me than work. But good to know I was approached and know that I can do any job there.
Finished reading Marsbound by Joe Haldeman and found it very entertaining with some cool concepts. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series. Jumped back in to the Old Man's War universe for Scalzi's fourth book in Zoe's Tale and finished it rather quick. A good story as it retells the previous book from Zoe's viewpoint. Now I hope John Scalzi writes about their stories on their new home, Earth. Now to wait for the soon to be released Human Division in May.
Check out the latest Sword & Laser Episode with R.A. Salvatore. One of my favorites and I get the inside on the origin of Drizzt. Now I have to re-read The Crystal Shard and the newly released Last Threshold before the new change in the world with The Companions. Looks like I will change to fantasy books after a long stint in the sci-fi realm.
Looks like New York can keep drinking "sugary drinks", but Mayor Bloomberg for some reason still wants to ban the sale of drinks over 16oz. I have known about this for some time and must point it out to many that are unaware. A city in the United States of America telling you what you can drink and how much you can drink. It is simply insane that a person let alone a Mayor of a city can tell its people this. Talk about governing over its citizens. Shut up slave! It's the United States of America if you want to drink a huge cup of soda or drink soda all day long, feel free to do it.
Not a Jim Carrie fan but the previous Kick Ass movie was pretty good. This one looks like they are pushing it just a little more. Why is this movie not banned? It has guns, violence, kids and school scenes. Is it because "Hollywood" controls part of government? Oh, sorry it has the "Mature Audiences Only" warning for a few seconds so it is good and keeps everyone safe.
Another winter storm through. Same as the past one with about a foot of snow. We can't seem to get anything more lately. It started Thursday with the slushy stuff that makes the roads a nightmare and I opted to not go to work and risk the roads and had no idea when the storm would start. I've learned to not risk it many times. Natalia of course likes to go out when it is snowing and eat the falling snow and I can't get her to stop. One day she will be in charge of driveway duty. Nope, I like that duty, but she can be a helper.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
- Dr. Seuss
Drill weekend done and looks like I'm not due to re-enlist for about a year. Again busy as always and some issues were brought to our unit from me and the leadership. Far too many corpsman are not coming to work as expected and I will no longer tolerate that behavior This is not your civilian job where you can hide out and not do your job and let it fall onto others. That mentality I hate and will not have it on this unit.
I have some critters that sound like they made a home in my build-up and I can hear them scratching. I will have to get down there and carefully check where and spray some ammonia to see if I can deter them and find out how they are getting inside and cover that entry. I don't mind them crawling all over the roof as I ten to hear them often lately.
Finished reading Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers and well a typical Harry Harrison book and one quite different from sci-fi today. It was entertaining and weird. Weird? The space travel mechanism requires cheddar cheese to operate and the big villain is a tiny turtle killed by a salami ('nuff said). My next read I choose another Joe Haldeman in Marsbound and thus far a page turner.
Drones are here to stay and in the next few years it will be a heated topic of conversation and debate. I think the debate will be if they should be weaponized and aiming at us. But for sure you will see drones used for spying on celebrities and maybe even local government to find even more ways to fine you. We have the President and others like Holder whom will not clearly state they will not be used to kill U.S. citizens in U.S. soil, thus we saw Senator Paul trying his filibuster the other day. Already the government is saying they can fly anywhere and shooting them down will be illegal. I can't wait to start seeing people using them as targets. We are slowly coming to a world of no privacy and limited rights. Call me a "crackpot" but I am definitely not alone. I must point out that I am a bit torn on the issue as I feel they help greatly the military and save many lives by not putting them at unnecessary risk in some occasions, but to have them aiming at us in our home? Hell No!
I don't watch this show or much TV for that matter. But I was passed this on and have to share it. This is why I am "scared" and worry about this nation. I am sure they picked the dumbest answers out there but to think there are people whom actually think this. Of course I can always be fake, but I highly doubt it. I reside among such people. If you feel bad the sequester going to Portugal or being killed by a sequester then you need to do some serious thinking.
A few posts back I made a mention of a drilling through to Lake Vostok. Well news have surfaced on some of the recent findings. Researchers have found DNA that doesn't match any known in earth. Exciting or a warning?
Marvel is offering free downloads of more than 700 first issue comics. This ends this Tuesday. Ill be checking it out to see which titles are offered. A great way to get the origin stories of many iconic characters.
Check out the latest Sword & Laser Episode. Just a few more episodes before this show is over. Why?
Finished reading Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress which I found the book mostly about government; its action and its formation than science fiction. I came across a few good quotes while reading.
"I beg you -- do not resort to compulsory taxation. There is no worse tyranny than to force man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him" - Robert A. Heinlein
"The power to tax once conceded, has no limits; it contains until it destroys." - Robert A. Heinlein
"I think that government is an inescapable disease of human beings. But it may be possible to keep it small and starved and inoffensive --" - Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was entertaining and among most of its political writings it contained a few science fictional concepts as the "catapult" and the form of growing crops underground.Written over 40 years ago we can clearly see "Mike" as the internet nowadays.
Damn it Scalzi! Jumped back to Scalzi with his third book in The Last Colony and again it is hard to put down and finished in two days. Scalzi again on the last sentence of this book leaves you wowed. Also getting the urge to read another Warhammer 40K book and looking to see what is the best out there. Decided to read the short Harry Harrison's Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers.
So far pretty long days at work and for the first time in a while I'm leaving work a little tired. Beginning of the month so all our government fund recipients are out spending all their money in a week and soon will be back to return most of their stuff for cash. Its a never endless cycle. It would be awesome to at least one day be thanked for my work and all the taxes I pay that gives them free money. But sadly we usually get the opposite. Another drill weekend is upon me and this one we will finally get back out and to some PT. As of this posting very small amounts of new snow on the ground and expecting the winter storm due to hit late tonight through Friday. I don't expect much snow out of this one.
HM2 Alcocer has left Afghanistan and is on his way back to us. It will be still a few weeks before he is home with his family as the demobilization process takes a few weeks. But he is out of harms way. Never received word on HM3 Mejia. As HM2 Alcocer returns HM3 Balisi leaves to Afghanistan to do the same role HM2 did. I know they all did and will do great things and experience things so many people can not even imagine.
A few words on the "sequestration" as many think and the media loves to make you think it is a huge crisis. This is simply budget cuts on the new budget. We all know government gets money and has to spend it all so the following year they can get even more. Anyone can clearly see that this system can not continue. Eventually the system will have to slow down or halt. What normal family gets an increase every year no matter what? None that I know. We all live in budgets and they usually never increase on a yearly basis. Matter of fact lately they go down and we all adjust. If government simply spent what they needed to spend and budgeted and worked with same budget for a few years we can fix this problem quickly. So it is funny for me to see the media reporting that this will cause a halt in our economy and cost thousands of jobs. This is a proposed cut on the new budget. They still get the same amount of funds from a year ago and even an increase in many cases. So government, please stop threatening and scaring the citizens because you won't make even more money this year.
Geek News - Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher to be in Star Wars Episode VII?
UltraMarines Warhammer 40K Movie
Don't forget to catch the latest No Agenda Episode and listen to Adam and John deconstruct and assassinate the media. Also keep and eye out for Cholera Larry! ITM
Went to see Dr. Seuss celebration at Barnes & Noble where also the Cat In The Hat made a presence. I would like to thank the staff as it was a very nice event with the activities and readings. Afterward we headed to Bass Pro Shops for their event where we spent sometime outside on their small pond watching people fish trout. It was very nice event as well. Overall an excellent Saturday and time with Natalia. More and more Natalia likes me reading to her which it is very pleasing to me. I hope this continues.
"If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too."
- Dr. Seuss
My friend "J" did it again. He ran another 1/2 marathon and here I am running my 1,5 miles every 6 months for the Navy. I need lots of motivation lately to get out, but I am working on it. I know my cycling days are over and were over a few years back. But I would like to get back into running and maybe as the weather turns start with walks. I would love to go cross country skiing. Just need the equipment. All my cool toys were lost in the fire. A fire that truly changed my life.
Well, the "Sequestration" came and went and we still live. Who actually thinks the government will start to budget itself and make cuts to the so many useless programs and jobs. There is a reason why everyone wants a government job. However, I hope all this will actually come crashing down one day. All the politicians can do is keep kicking this can down the road until it hits the curve. I hope one day to see the many useless county workers driving around all over town wasting gas and making huge paychecks suffer. Maybe they will leave us honest tax paying citizens alone for a change and quit harassing us and getting in our pockets so they can keep getting raises every year. Here is a huge waste of money from some of the top scammers in the nation >>. Here is a quote from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress written back in 1966 and the following quote still applies to government.
"Do this. Don't do that. Stay back of line. Where's the tax receipt? Fill out form. Let's see the license. Submit six copies. Exit only. No left turn. No right turn. Queue up to pay fine. Take back and get stamped. Drop dead - but first get permit."
- Robert A. Heinlein, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
Finished reading Scalzi's The Ghost Brigades and found this one a very good story and a good sequel. I didn't have the next book in the story and thus decided to read Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. This book is a classic to the genre and I hope it is a good story and one that keep me turning pages. I will definitely be reading The Last Colony which follows Scalzi's world and also to note the latest Drizzt novel releases this coming week. The Last Threshold: Neverwinter Saga IV will be the last in this series and already R.A. Salvatore has Drizzt in yet more adventures in the upcoming The Companions series.
Below I post a cool short film called Unearthed. You must sit through the whole thing to get the ending.
