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."
A very nice weekend as we finally picked up our apple harvest of this year and got a bunch of apples for cooking and a bunch of smaller tasty granny smith apples. A couple of bumps in our heads as apples fell down, but a great time as usual. Now to divide them as we give away most of them.
Saturday my Natalia and my mom played a few games and we had a great time. My mom learned and liked Ticket To Ride where she beat me 140-90. Also played an older thrift store find Game of the States where Natalia beat me. However I finally got my revenge in Blokus where Natalia and her Grandma decided to mess with each other while I went for the win! No pictures of that glorious event. Sunday the revenge Blokus match where I also took the win. Sunday I made it to a game meetup and played one game of Specter Ops and this is a game I would play again. No mountain bike ride as all the AARPers where out doing individual activities.
Started to read Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End as it has been reviewed as one of his bests works. Excited to read it and have high hopes for this novel. Also read a few comics this week in the digital format as it is possible with the earlier comics. Finally read Daredevil #1 and started to read the current Secret Wars. I must say I am very lost in Secret Wars.
Veterans day was very nice as I spent the day at home with guests and played some games and watched Alien and Aliens movies. Slowly re watching the Terminator movies in preparation of Genysis.
Overall a quiet few days in the house by the fireplace having fun. Waiting to possibly see Santa Claus for the first time this year next weekend if possible as I have drill this weekend.
Cold temperatures and expected a few inches of snow from the "experts" and as usual it felt short. It is cold up here but didn't' get any snow other than a very light dusting. Never believe the forecasters as more often than not they are wrong.
Natalia with me for a few days and back to our normal routines. Relaxing up here with her and having fun. A bit cold outside but always things to do.
This week I found out about the Greenlight A Vet "movement" and put up my light 24/7. I laugh at the few "dumb asses" out there complaining about the price, and the stores putting up displays in promotion. Even a few saying it is bad to show support as it shows the "bad" people where we live. What?! Now my light is one 24/7 and not ashamed or scared. Following this event, this week we saw the return of LtCdr Armstrong back from yet another deployment. Hoorah Sir!
I found myself in a comic book store this week to check out the new comics and story lines. I found this to be a mistake. Much like a kid in a candy or toy store. I picked up a few of the #1 releases and most of the main Secret Wars story. To my surprise I liked the new Howard the Duck story and may continue to see how it ties in as he holds one of the Infinity Gems. I will say I am not amazed of the so many story arcs created. Just have to stick to a few and follow them. Impossible to follow all. Clearly Marvel is trying to push the Inhumans to us all with its new movie coming out in the future.
"If you loose your purpose ... it is like you're broken."
- Brian Selznick, Hugo Cabret
Finished reading The Other Log of Phileas Fogg and was hoping for a more action packed book with more characters, but in the end I didn't like the book. Still deciding what to read next. U.S. History, sci-fi, or fantasy? The choices!
Check out the No Agenda Player. A web based audio player to listen to the Best Podcast in the Universe. Easy access to the many topics and links. Check out the Star Wars Imperial Assault game for the Jack Vassel Memorial Fund.
Last weekend was quiet at home and some more bathroom work, which some took a turn for the worse and more work to be fixed. Then last Sunday morning my car problems started thus cancelling my mountain bike ride and most of the week. I tackled on installing a new starter to in the end have battery problems as well and a new battery and a trip to the mechanic to find this out. Needless to say some of my savings were used up.
Natalia was with me just an overnight this weekend but as usual we have fun and we were both very happy to see each other. She received a few more surprises from her grandparents for Halloween and we spent most of our time at their house, Played some games where as again she beat her grandmother and me in Blokus. I wished her a great time out "trick or treating". I will see her again in a few days back to our normal routine.
Went on another 10km run during the week and Sunday morning met up with the AARP group for a nice mountain bike ride under nice weather. Finally got to see Anthony Johnson (aka 4%) after about 15 years. As always we all have a great time and manage to find things along the way to entertain ourselves with. As you can see Linda found the Iron Giant laying in front of a house while we tried to lift him up.
Finished reading The Gods Themselves which is praised as a great sci-fi book and I didn't find it that great. It does have some new concepts and a bit of hard sci-fi. Overall I found this book entertaining. Received the book Hugo Cabret and read it this week and found it a nice children's story and unique with its many images as part of the story. Started to read the Other Log of Phileas Fogg and see how that story goes. Already have another stack of books I want to read. No movies this week and waiting for Terminator Genysis to release soon.
"He who fights monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster"
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Learned Pandemic and looking forward to playing this with others soon. However, played a few games of Pandemic Saturday and no wins. This game is brutal. Planning on learning Legendary Encounters: Aliens this week.
Weather this coming week expected to change and we may see sub freezing temperatures during the nights all week with a possibility of some light snow. A change from the warmer windier temperatures of this past week.
Watched a few movies this week as I haven't seen any movies in weeks or longer. Watched Avengers Age of Ultron and found it pretty bad and not worth seeing again. The movie had no story and no tie to the Marvel universe. Another movie watched was San Andreas and found that more entertaining to my surprise. Also watched Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and liked it. This week introduced a young person to Big Trouble in Little China as I haven't seen that movie in many years and still a cheesy cult classic.
Played Smallworld, Survive! Space Attack, Marvel Legendary as well as Catan Jr. this week a few times. Have Legendary Encounters in my game room table hoping to get that learned this weekend. Maybe the Mountain Communities Board Game Group will get together this weekend and I can get in some games and maybe some smack talk.
"To be good is to be in harmony with ones self."
- Oscar Wilde
Went on a nice run with a "pacer" and felt good until a new set of shoes started to horribly bother me. Forgot my nice Salomon Sense Mantra 3 shoes that I have been feeling good running with. I felt I could have done my 10kms under the hour and gone longer without these issues and my pacer starting to "poop" out. There is always a next time.
Still reading The Gods Themselves and was hoping to have it read by now. Past the halfway point and starting to pick up the pace again. A nice read thus far and very hard sci-fi by Asimov.
Sadly this week I will not have Natalia with me and was hoping to have company over most of the weekend relaxing and cooking but that is not to be. Maybe go out on a mountain bike ride and hit the trail with an old friend Anthony "4%". So far the plan is stay home, clean up and keep working on my plumbing issues around the house.
Below is a short documentary on the life of a trail runner and adventurer. Men who lead simple lives in a world where so many of us do so much to complicate our lives.
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
