Disconnect

Getting work to a routine and days moving slow for me thus far. Been running and snorkeling as I have been. Getting better at running and working myself up to a steady one hour run. On my walk to the NEX one day I came across Scooby and the gang and took a picture of their van. Also got lucky and tagged along with a few psych techs here and went to Girl Scout Beach. I want to visit all the beaches if possible.

"Which is why human society mostly works; people avoid trouble. But behind every law is the implicit threat of force, and behind every vote is the implicit threat of rebellion. That's the bargain that holds a free society together. And no society with a wide power imbalance remains free for very long."

- Daniel Suarez - Kill Decision

Though we have some connection here (internet) it is in designated places and not so fast. So we are not "connected" all the time and I find it now not as bad. You learn to "disconnect" and do other things and get together with others. It would be a bad thing to lock yourself in your room and not interacting. You learn to just walk everywhere and sit and stare at the sky and the ocean and just be.

Lately been reading two books simultaneously; one at work and another in my room. Right now reading A canticle for Liebowitz, which it is a little of a hard read for me but a good concept and world. Also reading Kill Decision which relates to our world today. Go ahead and call me crazy. But not too long ago we would never believe unmanned machines would be doing the killing.

Below is a cute animated short I came across. Enjoy.

Don't forget to catch the latest No Agenda Show.

Happy Halloweenie!

Well, I spend Halloween at work and this means no trick or treating for me this year. Also looks like I will spend all major holidays at work and not being able to do the many running events here or the chance to get some volunteer hours.

"It weighs (the world) life and labor in the balance against silver and gold. That'll never balance."

- Walter M. Miller Jr. - A Canticle for Liebowitz

I keep getting in the running in the days off and the rest out in the ocean looking at the marine life. A few guys here have spotted some barracudas and I will also like to see one but I am sure I would freak out a little. Trying to slowly get a snorkeling group together and hope to get to see the other beaches in the area. I am back into my reading mode and split it between two books at a time as I have one at work and one at "home".

Talked with Natalia very briefly the other day and look forward to talking to her longer this Monday. She sounds like she is good and having fun. I do miss her as I miss my other woman in my life but I always look forward to the awesome homecoming.

Oh! The Water!

Finally moved in to my permanent room and got hooked up with good roommates. Even my first night slept through the whole night. Had one shift at work that got some action and better get ready and get on a pace to get ready for those. Haven't worked that much this past week as I had BLS class and I got 2 days off for that. No complaints there.

Been running more constant and hope I can go more often. At least every day off go for a run. Found out there are no real trails in this side to run due to security. I was told by an MP of a nice trail right outside this side. So I will look for that in a few days. Also started to go snorkeling in the nearby beach and I must saw it is very cool and relaxing. I think that will be something I will do regular and start to go to the other beaches to see. I remember when I had my aquarium and the fishes I kept there. I kept naming them in my head as I see them out here. Also got close to a few small jelly fishes and my first turtle was spotted.

Got to talk and see Natalia through Skype this past Monday as my parents picked her up for a few hours. I do wish I had to see more of her but that is the system. Not happy but that is they way it is. She looks happy and a month away and I feel she doesn't miss me which is a good thing. I do not want to see her cry.

I do step back and see that not everyone works where I work, walks to the beach past a guard with an M249 SAW and swims the Caribbean ocean and wraps up the day with a movie outdoors. Overall it is not bad at all here. We have a few things to pass the time with away from work. Wish I could write more but that is pretty much thus far away from work.

Don't forget to catch the latest Sword & Laser Episode 146

FPCON ALPHA Here.

A week here gone and moving slowly and I hope it starts to pick up. My first night at work went through uneventful and a step into history for me. I am one of those very few to see what actually happens here. In a few weeks I will get the layout of the land here and fall into a pace. Still waiting to move to my permanent room and roommates. Here we share our home with army and the workplace as well and I see a small division between the two branches and I hope to break that. At least myself on my shifts. I see no reason to alienate each other when we are doing the same job and depend on each other doing it. Wish I could share much more about the job but at the present time I am unable to do so.

Talked with Natalia again and she got to spend a few hours with her grandparents for the first time in a few weeks. I wish she had more time but the system is not on my side. Natalia sounds good and happy and that is all that matters. In a few months we will both be together again.

Got two runs thus far and hope for a more constant regimen as I get adjusted to my work schedule. Also wanting to go snorkeling soon but waiting for that first paycheck to see where I stand. My last run I headed to the beach near here and got a little wet there to cool off on my way back. Went out for a little nightlife here and not for me, but it is expected for it being a base. Plan on trying to find a real trail out here and go for a nice run Monday. Also got back into reading mode and am reading 3 books. Yes, 3 books as I am not able to take in material to work some left over stuff was there and started to read Da Vinci Code and some junkie sci-fi book in my work areas along with The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams.  I hope in the next few weeks to experience more of the life here which I will have plenty of time to do.

I Am Here, 270 Days To Go.

Here I arrived a day early and the countdown has begun. Met up with my buddy here that same night by chance and started to get the 411 on the place. So far everything we really need is close by and not as hot or humid as I would expect, but again its almost October. Air condition everywhere, internet is slow but food is not bad. Ocean views constantly and I am sure I'll be tired of looking at the ocean in a few months. I plan on doing some running and volunteering. About a week here and I can say I got a good lay of the land. Introduction was smooth and just

awaiting to start to do the job. Iguanas everywhere and I do not like them but I am sure in a few weeks you won't even notice them. Thus far days moving very slow and hope they start to move on. My posts will be short as I won't be able to post publicly most of my experiences and adventures here. I can say I am in a historic place and doing and seeing things that many never see or experience. I hope to soon get back to my reading as I have fallen far behind.

I may be away but don't forget to stay up to date with the No Agenda Show.

Norfolk, VA

 Well I've arrived to Norfolk with no problems. Flight was quick and smooth. I must say out of all the airports I have been on the Norfolk airport is pretty ugly. NMPS here is one of two Naval processing centers for deployment and in a few months it will be the only one. A rather small place for the work but it gets done. The process went smooth with much help. I left Friday afternoon, briefs were good and leadership looks good. I do wish I had a little more time here and able to look around the whole base, but it looks like there may be plenty of time in my demob process. As it was I just walked to NMPS and back to my room daily. So far I am doing good mentally and eager to get this started. Hoping to settle in fast and have good roommates.

Posts may be short due to security reasons. A little hard for me as I am an open book and have a big mouth.

On a short rant many seen the short footage of the Navy Yard shooting that was released and well, I don't see an assault rifle or a handgun. Turns out he obtained the handgun inside the building, but no assault rifle. So right away the media made up stories and lied to us. Why? The Agenda! The agenda to disarm law abiding citizens.

The Day Has Arrived

Last day at home and last few days here were great with Natalia all week. I will keep a journal of all my happenings and post some stuff here. A corpsman's view inside GTMO. Who knows, maybe a book deal in the future? The six months "heads up" I got, I think were as good as it can be. I went from shock to enjoying life to getting ready and being at peace being away from Natalia. Out of my many travels and accomplishments, I get the chance to serve my country. To put on the uniform and do the job. Not in Afghanistan as I may have hoped but in a place with much history, secrecy and conflict. I go to treat those with respect and make their lives better in any possible way as I believe some are not bad but simply wrong place wrong time. To learn about the place and the conflict. To also take care of my people in any way possible. Pictured is Natalia doing the "Shuffle Truffle" out in the trail.

Another shooting and this one is full of the memes and talking points. We have again another Navy reservist (that's me) which is seen as a military and normal person. This reservist for some reason works there and uses another persons ID to get in. Why? Of course he uses the weapons used in the debates to ban, AR15 (no other rifle but the AR15), a shotgun and a handgun. Let's not forget he was also obsessed with video games. This man walks into this highly secured building with metal detectors and guards in Washington DC where gun control is one of the highest in the nation. Someone clearly is not doing their job, but lets not look into that. Right away the same talking heads in Washington jump on the same debate but this one may not get much traction. Now we must be afraid because it seems dead children make a stronger point, so what's next?

Horner wins the Vuelta and I find articles regarding this as it seems he "lied" about his whereabouts the night before the penultimate stage as he was not able to be found. Of course the team claims one thing but the truth is he was not at the room or hotel he told the organization where he was. Not only that but on hs trip back he made an unscheduled stop in Valencia. Think what you may. Maybe he went to dance away with his wife on the "Bacalao Route" LOL

Been watching lately a bunch of ultra endurance running and sky running. I find this stuff fascinating and very attractive. Below I post the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc 2011. Many won't believe what these people do. Seems the sport originated in the western U.S. and Spanish/France border.

A Pleasant Weekend

I spend my last week here with Natalia the whole week until the day I leave. She so much likes to stay up here and go to the park and walks in the forest and playing games. Oh, and she likes to play with water and wash the car and windows as much as possible. Too bad I have windows 30-40 feet high that need real cleaning. Got Natalia another game and I am getting hooked in playing games with her. I cant wait to get back and start a good game library. She still likes to play Candyland but I like the Scooby-Doo Haunted House game due to the theme. I will miss playing games with her for the time I will be away and look forward to getting back.

La Vuelta a Espana is over and I got a great feed for half the event before it was taken down. After that I was limited to recap videos. The penultimate stage was amazing and hoped to have seen it longer but got the best of it. I found myself standing up talking to my screen and cheering for Horner. Though I really never knew him but I do remember his beginnings in the early 90s in a few events I participated with him. I do admire him for his true passion and dedication to the sport. He truly is a down to earth good guy and a bit of a red neck! Who knew an old red neck gringo would be on top of the sport. A troubled team getting together behind Horner for the win. This sport to me is starting to look clean and healthy and thus causing for exciting racing.

My reading has slowed down much as I expected and moving very slowly through the Dark Tower # 7 which is the last in the long series. A weird series and sometimes hard to get through but I am going to finish it this year. My Nook loaded with books that I hope to get through by years end.

I don't know if many were wondering what ever happened to the worst spy against the USA, Snowden. With all this Syria smokescreen this person is no longer of interest. Syria where we want all his weapons and forgive his "evils". Still no real evidence on what Assad is being accused other than YouTube videos and footage probably from another country years back or faked? No one questions why we want his weapons and what we are going to do with them or even wanting to "punish" this horrible person for what he is being accused of. Wake up. Its all a show. Many countries have "chemical weapons" and no on is trying to take them. Israel has them and no one seems to want them out of there. We choose and pick countries and make up reasons to kill them. I see slowly more and more realizing that the "news" pushed to us by the big media firms are propagandist at best to I would say lies. So much is pushed out there and days later never mentioned. Things so horrible one day and the next not a big deal.

Don't forget to catch the latest No Agenda Show as they predicted the Syria outcome and events almost to perfection. It's not hard to do once you realize most of what you are told are lies to cover up the truth.

Last Of The Hard Men

Natalia spent the whole Saturday with no diaper and big girl underwear. I was so proud and she was so happy. I tried calling my ex to inform her but I got accused of harassment and I just hung up. Also last drill weekend if all goes well at NMPS. Showed up late Sunday as I decided to ride my bike instead (priorities). The unit is already changing and it will be almost new when I return with the amount of new faces.

Sunday may have been my last ride with the AARP group and it was a hot one. Initially set for a short one to see the donkeys but Richie managed to persuade RC (aka Phylo Windsuck) to go up Pigeon Pass an around the mountain. I did have to walk a stretch up this hill. I kept my eye on Greyspoke all day but he didn't need it. This man may be one of the last "hard men" left. The men and women in their 60-70s and still hitting the trail. I can only pray I am still riding hard as he is. In the end I thought it was a great ride. Got a good workout and in great company as usual. I truly look forward to many more rides and hope these guys keep going forever.

My last week at work and not much happening on that end and if all goes well I will return almost a year from now as I hope to take some time off when I return and hope we still have the same store manager. HM2 Chaparro has been in contact with me and giving me the heads up on the process at NMPS and I hope to get there with no real worries and only a few things to do. He also told me what may be my duty and home for the next few months. I hope to be able to stay on touch with my people through Facebook. As much as I do not like the service it seems to be the most reliable and easier to use. Of course I will be posting here on the blog normal and upload once I get a connection.

This last week I spend all week with Natalia to the end and hope it goes slow and I don't get too emotional as I know I will. I stuff as much as possible in a backpack as that will be my personal belongings for my stay in GTMO.

Toilet Training "War"?

Getting ready for what I hope to be my last drill weekend in a while and my last few days at work. Still have some minor Navy work to wrap up before it is off my hands. I am hoping to go riding with the AARP group Sunday and show up to drill later in the morning. Why not? It would actually be real PT and not the lame stuff we usually do in the morning.

Natalia is using the toilet this week more and more and is becoming aware of it. Sadly I may not be present for the transition. Took Natalia later in the day Friday to walk the village and base of Snow Summit. I haven't been there in many years and not much has changed. It was empty and it was very relaxing laying back on a chairlift swinging to the cool breeze and thunder in the background. I did notice prices for bike rentals and such and boy are they extremely expensive.

I consumed the Walking Dead season 3 in a matter of a few days and it was really good season. Also watching the Vuelta A Espana daily thanks to a nice feed I found. Hopefully it continues. So far a very nice clean race. I find myself cheering for a Caja Rural win daily and for Horner to take the jersey. Horner a real to honest nice guy.

So, Syria. Maybe dangerous times? Either way this "incident" goes to show us all it doesn't matter if you're Republican or Democrat but the whole administration. So much wrong with this, where to start. First off I don't believe there really is any evidence of this. Al-Assad whom not to long ago was a nice guy getting visits from our celebrities and now he is all the sudden evil. This administration supporting "terrorists" in Syria but on the other side in Egypt. Some decent people still asking questions on Benghazi and "Fast and Furious" but we are told to forget it as it was a long time ago. Now we are told no act f war. Just missiles being shot to kill people at random as "punishment". Never mind this administration providing weapons to these "terrorists" to fight in Syria. Of course we ask how they got these weapons in Benghazi. Hmmmm. What ever happened with the Hope and Change promised. Now we are in conflicts in much more countries. Conflicts or trying to overthrow governments? No one wants action against Syria as the whole world knows there is no real evidence but this administration will go ahead with it as they still claim 98% of people want action. But don't look over here, this is not an act of war. Just a bunch of missiles killing people. How ignorant we are to not "freak out" when other countries may or may not have capabilities to make such weapons but we have the mos amount and even used them twice in history. When was the last time another country used a nuclear weapon? But maybe this attack against Syria is not what it seems. A "proxy" war against Russia over whom will supply natural gas to Europe?

Listen to the latest No Agenda Show for what may be the truth behind Syria.