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."
Lately there has been a great amount of acorns falling from the trees. I feel this is nature telling us it may be a hard winter by providing food for squirrels and spreading its seeds for more trees. Again another week with thunderstorms forecasted and nothing really hit. Thus far temperatures have been a bit warmer and we will see how October ends. I had planned to collect apples from my parents as well as my trees but it may have to be next weekend. Never hurts to wait a little longer.
"I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose."
- Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study In Scarlet
Catan Junior hit the table again this week and I have to say this is becoming a standard for us to play. Also Natalia and I had our first game of Survive Space Attack! and so far a bit more ruthless than the original game. This week I pulled the trigger and ordered Legendary Encounters: Aliens and hope to get my first game in this coming week and have high hopes for this game. Sunday ended with my first game of Smallworld with Natalia along with Blokus and Strawberry Shortcake Strawberry Land game.
Bathroom slowly coming along and now down to the smaller things and connections on an older house and that is always many trips to the hardware store.
This weekend Natalia and I went to a birthday party where we both had a great time playing Nerf guns, water fights a bouncer and a fort, yes a fort.
Finished reading the first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study In Scarlet and found it short but an introduction to the characters. I may read another Sherlock Holmes story. On a trip to the book store I found an Asimov book on the wrong place and saw it as a sign to pick up the book. That book I am now reading is The Gods Themselves and it is reviewed as his best book and one of the best science fiction books. So far I liked the first third of the book, but a the second third is a bit odd for me. Also this week I stopped by a used book store and picked up some books of interest. Among those is the Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy that I feel started all these long fantasy stories and characters. I do wish I would have found the original covers. I may reread these books again soon.
I would like to share this awesome video by Beasts of War of an X-Wing table layout of Endor. Truly epic and awesome.
Star Wars day at Barnes and Noble and I have to thank the 501st Legion and the Mandalorian Mercs for showing up for some awesome photos. Natalia loved to hang around all of them and get many pictures. Natalia as well as me, loved the Jawas that were present. I am going to make Natalia a Jawa costume one day as she wants to wear it around to make others smile and have pictures taken with. Even Lord Vader had the special voice and their entrance to the store was awesome.
Finished reading The Lost Princess of Oz and as with all the books in the series this one carries a special charm. Also read the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving and found it entertaining. Decided to start reading the first Sherlock Holmes novel, The Scarlet Letter. If this interests me, i will continue to read the other stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
My bathroom remodel is slowly coming along but looking good. Now I would be happy to occupy this room as I haven't used it since I bought the house.
This week Natalia and I learned to play Catan Junior and she likes the game and collecting parrots. I will say she beat me in the first game. Also learning to play Survive! Space Attack and so far another fun game with a few new additions and a little more ruthless than the original game.
"In truth, no living creature can know much more than his fellows, for one may know one thing, and another know another thing, so that wisdom is evenly scattered throughout the world."
- L. Frank Baum, The Lost Princess of Oz
Again warmer temperatures this week as usual for October and who knows how this month will end. No runs or rides this week. Truth is I rather sleep in and relax at home with Natalia all weekend.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam).
Another drill weekend done and getting used to doing nothing. It took me this long to get to know how the system works. PRT done and hope they do not loose my scores again. Amazing how people don't do work and hurt careers and no one takes responsibility.
Made it to another game night Saturday for a little bit to play just two games played; Spyfall and Coup. We moved out session to a private home around the corner from my house with an awesome collection and game room. I thought I had a decent game room, wrong. Spyfall and Coup, I would play again. Also played a few games with Natalia as usual and pulled out our Charlie Brown Halloween game and got it on the table for the remainder of the month. Also this week a surprise at my door as I received my pre-order of Survive! Space Attack and I can't wait to learn it and play this with Natalia. Looking forward to this Friday and the weekend with Natalia as I have no plans but with her.
"People are very fond of giving away what they need most themselves. It is what I call the depth of generosity."
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey
Finished reading Night of the Hunter and again falling for the story line. This book sets up the future books and I am sure I will be reading those soon. Found the 3rd collection of Wizard of Oz and picked it up and started to read The Lost Princess of Oz (book #11). I love these stories as they are simple to read and full of characters and the world of Oz. Also been reading The Picture of Dorian Grey again slowly and have been finding lots of quotes from Wilde.
No running or riding this week and hope to get on the road or trails soon. However I did start the bathroom remodel in my tiny bathroom upstairs after about four years of planning. Picture coming soon.
October thus far has been a traditional one with cold days and hot days. This past week we got some low temps bringing very light flurries and in a few days triple digits down the hill and maybe a repeat this coming week.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam).
A weekend without Natalia and I missed her as usual. Sunday went mountain bike riding with my people on a nice stroll as usual and in the afternoon I had nothing planned and the local newly formed Mountains Community Board Gaming Group was meeting up in Crestline. Headed back up and had a few hours of nice games. Played all new games for me which were; Sentinels of the Multiverse, Dixit, Concept, and Hanabi. All games played today I would play again. Hoping the group keeps going and grows a little more. Another drill weekend coming up and I get to spend some time with Natalia.
Another week of horrible news of the passing of Javi Chavez of the 558th MP Company. He is another soldier I had the pleasure of spending many hours with while on deployment. I am again shocked on the news again. What is happening?
"Ordinary people waited till life disclosed to them its secrets, but to the few, to the elect, the mysteries of life were revealed before the veil has been drawn away"
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture Of Dorian Grey
Temperatures starting to cool and up here the feeling of fall is starting to be felt. Possibly first snowfall next week but I have my doubts.
Finished reading The End of All Things by John Scalzi and found it entertaining and somewhat "twisted" in the beginning. The book seemed short and I was hoping it had more in the story. Started to read Night of the Hunter Companions Codex #1 which follows Drizzt again. Amazing how R.A. Salvatore simply revived the characters to keep the stories going, but I am glad he did.
Bought few more new games in the Barnes & Noble and Target sales. I now possibly have too many games. Picked up Spyfall (to play with the group), Fall of Pompei, Smallworld, Catan Junior and Pandemic.
Rant: This week we finally saw Russia concentrate in Syria and targeting Isis areas and support Assad. I will say this may not end well as it may start to come out how Isis is a CIA operation backed by us. I know many will think I'm crazy but just wait. Already seeing US supplies in their hands. We are so concentrated into overthrowing governments where clearly this is about the gas lines going through the country. Sadly military personnel may have to suit up and spend many months in the area sacrificing their family and possibly their lives in such an unnecessary conflict. I remember not long ago the weekly ISIS videos and tons of media hype. Where has all that been the past few months? Hmmm.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam).
Again a great time with Natalia but limited due to my obligations with the US Navy. This weekend we played Blokus with my mom and I beat Natalia. I am not ashamed to say I beat a 5 year old, as she beats me in so many games. She had some fun at the local camp playing outdoors games with her friends and grandparents and Sunday I brought my mom over to eat and relax at home a few hours.
Friday I went out on a 13km run and again under a bit of heat. The heat always drains me and it didn't fail this time. I found myself pushing along between 8-10kms and the last stretch I stopped a few times. I am hoping to slowly move it up to 15km runs. Maybe as the weather starts to cool off.
"If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be"
- Yogi Berra
Finished reading Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson and found it very entertaining read and just the right length. Not as technical as some of his previous works which was good to move the story along. I would compare this title to Seveneves which I recently read and found this story to be similar but moved along at a much better pace. My next read is another science fiction title in Scalzi's new story, The End of All Things. I do look forward to this new part of the huge Old Mans Universe. I was debating this or a fantasy title that I have not read in a long time. Maybe next time I will trap myself in the newest R.A. Salvatore's novels.
Another drill weekend gone and still showing up and serving. I like this unit as it is a bunch of seasoned vets and get things done efficiently. I am sure this unit will grow as the Navy downsizes and forces people here as I was forced here. Hopefully things won't change much. Our unit CO is a real character in the sense he has been around every aspect of the Navy and has much inside knowledge of the current worlds events and its possible outcomes. Maybe there is an opportunity for me to do something again totally different and meaningful if the right assignment arrives.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam).
Again this week I saw horrible news in the passing of PFC Shih (U.S. Army 491st). Whatever happened has got to stop. I do not want to keep reading of young "oath keepers" passing away. I spent many months serving alongside with the 491st MP unit as a U.S. Navy Corpsman and got to know many of them and share many hours together. I know thee news came as a shock to us all and him like all will always be missed and remembered.
This weekend Natalia and I again spent all our time "geeking" out looking at the new Star Wars items and playing board games. I scored a few nice games at a thrift store and played most of them. It never seizes to amaze me how a 5 year old beats me in many of these games. We played some Monopoly Junior, Angry Birds Star Wars, Loopin' Chewie, Blokus, Dino Checkers and proud to say I got Natalia introduced to Cthulhu with Cthulhu Dice (She beat me 3 times taking all my sanity). Blokus turned out to be a game my mother liked and wants to play it again, so I left it there for our dinners.
Natalia did have two questions this week; Why doesn't Darth Vader fly if he has a cape? Who will win between Darth Vader and Hulk? The second one may be easier, as the Force will win! But why doesn't he fly? Hmmm.
Natalia's primary class got to sing in church this weekend and say a few words about God and what they are thankful for and things they like to do. I will say I was at the point of crying a few times with the performance and answers. I truly know I am doing good by her and she will grow up with good morals and guide.
Out of the many books I read Natalia, I was happy to read to her this weekend, Fearless Frosty (my autographed copy) and I think Natalia liked it. This week I also hope to finish Blackout and move on to a sci-fi book I was gifted which I have been looking forward to reading.
Rain expected first part of this week and lower overnight temperatures. We will see if autumn is starting to get to us earlier or if we will have a few hot temperatures in October. October has always been an unpredictable month up here as it can either be hot with fire dangers or snowing.
Check out this fan battle and statistics between Darth Vader Vs. Doctor Doom
A warm week thus far and no runs for me this week. A decent weekend for not spending it with Natalia. Hung out in Palm Springs by a pool with an awesome view for a few hours and had everyone spend the night up in the mountains. A decent hike with the boys and Yuli and was hoping Deep Creek had a running stream but it is the middle of summer. The week overalls thus far has been one of more adjustments for me and find myself getting in the routine. I am sure it will change as doing what I do now is ever changing and challenging.
Still slowly getting through Blackout and thus far not a good read for me. Not much in the time travel aspect but it does touch on the timeline of the London bombings during WWII. This week I am ashamed to say, I finally was treated to watch The Princess Bride movie and enjoyed it.
"Please consider me as an alternative to suicide"
- Prince Humperdink, The Princess Bride
This weekend the Car Wars Card Game hit the table and it is a fun game where we get to attack other cars and defend attacks ("Take that game"). A surprise this week I received the new Star Wars X-Wing Force Awakens Edition game and was happy as it has been a game I've been wanting to try out and add to my collection. Still haven't played it but got the basic rules down. I missed another (2nd) Mountain Communities Boardgame meetup on Wednesday and hope to make the next one or hope they can change the day of the week as I am unable to make it those days lately.
This week was a huge week for two of my "brothers" as Doc Sayarath and Doc Phillips both welcomed babies to their lives. Sayarath with a baby girl which no doubt is his and Phillips a healthy boy. These two will make great dads and will find their lives with a new joy for life.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam).
Another week adjusting and only got to be with Natalia a few hours Friday due to labor day holiday agreement. As always I feel bad and sad to not spend more time with her, as she always asks me to spend more days with her. We took the hours together to check out all the Star Wars toys and games. A few of the new toys look cool and maybe pick up a few of the Star Wars skinned mainstream board games.
This week I got to go out on two runs and the temperatures were a bit cooler than weeks prior. Still running my normal 10 kms and feeling very good. This week I also got two great surprises in a pair of new running shoes and the new Kim Stanley Robinson book, Aurora. I was gifted the new Salomon Sense Mantra 3 which are a very nice pair of trail/road shoes. This weekend doesn't seem like I will be going out for a mountain bike ride this weekend but hope to find some time next weekend.
This week Nate Phillips will be a father. I had the pleasure to have spent far too many hours with this man and funny that almost a year after I got to know his real name. He will be a great father and in a way I feel bad for the mother as now she will have two kids to take care off.
"What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loose his soul?"
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey
This past weekend learned to play Awful Green Things from Outer Space and find it a nice entertaining game for two players. However, the board is too small for all the counters to be placed. Treated myself to a few new games this week and hope at least one of them hits the table and its liked. No game night on Friday as I had Natalia for a few hours and was able to go home and clean up as usual and take care of the cabin. I am hoping to this weekend get everyone around the table for at least one good game. Still slowly reading Blackout and so far I am not awed by the story. I do hope in the second half it starts to get interesting with the time travel aspect.
Another week getting adjusted to my new life and so far so good. as usual challenges but I am finding my place and routine. One thing is for sure, I am glad I made the choice. Challenges as usual and being tested constantly but I know I am needed and I do want to be needed and help raise two boys along with Natalia.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth from the Guardians of Reality (John & Adam).
This week has been a rough road for me with the changes and challenges that I now face, as well as having to get adjusted to not seeing Natalia as often as I would want. These are challenges and adjustments that I can handle, as much of my past experiences have helped me to be able to take care of others and deal with an ever changing environment. I went to Natalia's school on Monday for a few hours to see her and see how her school is going. I am not fully content on the teaching curriculum but sadly I have no choice in that matter. Being a father in California we really don't have many rights that are enforceable. I can say she was surprised and very happy to see me and she is very well behaved. I can already see that she is ahead of many in her class, thanks to preschool and my interactions with her.
Friday I picked up Natalia after school and went to see my grandma (Natalia's Great Grandma) as she is staying at my uncle's house for a while and soon heading back to Puerto Rico. The weekend spent at home relaxing after a long week away from home. Feeling a little sick and hoping to recharge my batteries for the coming week. No mountain bike ride for me this weekend but looking forward to one next weekend and hope the gang can come out and play.
"Nowadays people know the price of everything, and the value of nothing."
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey
I got horrible news from my "brothers", that Doc Nicholas Alexander Lanphier has passed away. I can't get any details as it seems no one knows and I feel one that knows won't disclose. Either way these news are felt inside. This was is a huge shock as he was recently married and became a father. He will be remembered by me as well as by all his "brothers". I can say, one of "ours" is waiting for us in Heaven.
Finished reading Victory at Yorktown and moved on to Blackout. Been wanting to read this book a while and was able to pick it up at the library. This week also on a trip to Barnes & Noble I saw the new John Scalzi book, The End of All Things and I almost lost it. What a geek I am to get super excited about a book. I love The Old Man's War universe that Scalzi has created and very happy to see he is still keeping it going.
This week I finally got Ticket To Ride to the table for a first play through and get to learn the simple rules. I can already see it will be a game that will hit the table many times due to its simplicity. The many other maps for this game will also be an added pleasure for the game. This week I received The Awful Green Things From Outer Space (1980) which is an older game getting a reprint and slowly getting the rules down. No game night this past Friday and I was disappointed no one wanted to play any games. Also this week my Loot Crate package came in and don't know if I will keep subscribing to this service.
Another new week and already with a few challenges as the air conditioner unit failed and I found myself having to get a little familiar with the unit to troubleshoot. After a few unsuccessful calls for repair men in this heat wave I got lucky as a repair man was parked across the street and nice enough to do me the favor of changing the broken piece quickly and cheaply. Goes to show me again how things tend to solve themselves. Also this week I will be doing some driving dropping off and picking up the boys from school. This week however I will not be seeing Natalia and already saddens me we won't spend time together. I had to take the time to explain to my ex the agreement she came up with as it was too complicated for her to figure out.
A week mostly away from home and adjusting to my new "job" and life. It has its challenges but nothing that I can't handle and deal with. Another game night Friday and a bit short and not as fun without Natalia. A new version of Monopoly hit the table as I am slowly introducing more complex and thematic games. The big winner was Alex Friday night in Monopoly Avengers Edition. Also Smash Up, Survive (becoming a tradition) and King of Tokyo hit the table this week.
"I was not designated to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest"
- Henry David Thoreau
I spent most of the week driving all over the Inland Empire and getting my car fixed and all went well. Stopped by the local cigar lounge to chat with the locals about "everything and anything" and took Pablo to a pretty cool comic book store I ran across the way. Saturday the boys got new bikes and they were lucky I was there as I have had expensive experience around bicycles and the sports' many facets. Sunday I was blessed again to go on a ride and a short one but as usual full of fun and joking around. Lunch with the gang and some "forbidden" subjects were discussed, but that is the usual.
Overall it was a week of new things for me and full of great things everyday, This however has slowed my reading down and hope to have this book finished this week and move on to another. I wish I could read much faster as there are so many stories out there I want to read.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth.
