We just got an email yesterday from my dad in Korea. My mother's not doing well and her time may be soon. I don't know if any my readers out there are much for praying, but if you are, please pray for her that she can know that she's loved and be as pain-free and comfortable as possible in her time here.
I haven't been touched by death very often in my short 34 years. My grandparents have all died within my lifetime, but I wasn't really close to any of them. I've known several other people who have died. Ironically, it has been mostly animals whose deaths have affected me the most.
I had a fish named Poly. When he was close to the end, he would lay on his side and kinda swim around weakly. I wanted to end his misery so I scooped him out of the tank with a net and dropped him in the toilet. Right before I flushed, the last thing I saw was him looking straight at me. We locked eyes and could feel love just radiating from him. I pulled the handle and immediately broke down in tears.
I had an animal whose name I won't mention for reasons of my own, who I had to have put down. I'm deliberately being vague about a lot of the details. The whole ride to the Humane Society, he was so excited. When we got there, I had to fill out some papers. Iwas giving him nothing but praise. He was so happy as one of the attendants led him down the hall to the killing chamber. That was my last picture of him. When I got back to the car, I couldn't keep it together anymore. I crumbled.
Feel free to share any thoughts you have on the subject. How have you been affected by loss?
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sublimation
When I first heard the word sublimate, I had to have it explained to me. I don't remember who I was with. It might have been Kayla, Becky (my sister) or my mom. I just remember it was a female and that they made a hilarious joke. To sublimate is to go straight from a solid to a gas without first becoming a liquid. The female I was with said, "Like Taco Bell? When I eat there, that stuff sublimates inside my gut." I still think of that every time I go to Taco Bell.
Anyway, I'd like to thank my new readers in Switzerland and Poland. Hey Switzerland, I apologize for what I said about Swiss cheese yesterday. You've got some good banks from what I hear, and some good Army knives too. Hey Poland, thank you because my wife is half Polish. Y'all got some good sausages too.
To all my readers, in a war between zombies and vampires, who do you think would win? Here are my thoughts on the subject: I think about both Alien vs. Predator and Freddy vs. Jason. The Predators are highly intelligent with spacecrafts, weapons and such. The Aliens are more animalistic, but have their instinct and thoughtless brutality on their side. Freddy too is highly intelligent with his dream manipulation, finger knives and wit. Jason, on the other hand, is more animalistic, with instinct and thoughtless brutality. I think you can see where I'm going with this. Just plug vampires and zombies into the above equation. These are just my thoughts. What do you think?
Anyway, I'd like to thank my new readers in Switzerland and Poland. Hey Switzerland, I apologize for what I said about Swiss cheese yesterday. You've got some good banks from what I hear, and some good Army knives too. Hey Poland, thank you because my wife is half Polish. Y'all got some good sausages too.
To all my readers, in a war between zombies and vampires, who do you think would win? Here are my thoughts on the subject: I think about both Alien vs. Predator and Freddy vs. Jason. The Predators are highly intelligent with spacecrafts, weapons and such. The Aliens are more animalistic, but have their instinct and thoughtless brutality on their side. Freddy too is highly intelligent with his dream manipulation, finger knives and wit. Jason, on the other hand, is more animalistic, with instinct and thoughtless brutality. I think you can see where I'm going with this. Just plug vampires and zombies into the above equation. These are just my thoughts. What do you think?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Taco Molecules
My mom told me that when she was pregnant with me all she wanted to eat was Taco Bell. So I figure that makes me half Chinese, half Korean and 100% reconstituted taco molecules. My wife likes the burrito supreme. Oh, yeah, baby!
I've been reading my wife's blog. I noticed that she ends some of her blogs with questions. That's probably a great way to invite responses from her readers. Made me realize I never ask you people anything. How selfish I've been! All my shit's about me me me. I humbly apologize to you, my readers. I really would like to hear from you. I'd like to know anything about you that you'd care to share with me. I can't believe I've been so one-sided with my blog. I am truly humbled and I hope you can forgive me. Please let me know your thoughts about anything at all! I'd love to hear from you.
I've been reading my wife's blog. I noticed that she ends some of her blogs with questions. That's probably a great way to invite responses from her readers. Made me realize I never ask you people anything. How selfish I've been! All my shit's about me me me. I humbly apologize to you, my readers. I really would like to hear from you. I'd like to know anything about you that you'd care to share with me. I can't believe I've been so one-sided with my blog. I am truly humbled and I hope you can forgive me. Please let me know your thoughts about anything at all! I'd love to hear from you.
Cheese
Cheese is a very important topic to me. When I took a Stress Management class, they taught us how to meditate. They said to focus on one thing. That one thing I focused on was a slice of sharp cheddar. I could see it, smell it, feel it as my teeth bit into it and taste it on my tongue. How calming.
I enjoy a wide variety of cheeses from all over the world. I love a good smoked gouda, havarti, Muenster, Dubliner or the occasional brie. I like to shred some Manchego onto my spaghetti. Of course, there's the mozzarella, parmesan, nacho, cheddar, Colby, Jack and American. I love cottage cheese. One of my favorite might be gorgonzola, but it has to be by Stella. Black River makes a decent gorg, but I can't stand Belgoioso. I'm not a big fan of Swiss. How do they put the holes in Swiss cheese anyway?
Whenever I'm at a grocery store, I hope they'll have a free sample of cheeses for me. One time, the lady had a platter of cheese samples and she just had to tell me that it was imported. I replied, "Well, I guess if it was exported, it wouldn't be here." She didn't think that was very funny.
Speaking of samples, remember the Pepsi Challenge? I used to have fun with those poor souls pouring the samples. I could tell by the way the colas looked in the cup, which was which. I'd deliberately grab the Coke first and swallow it down in one gulp. I'd have a satisfied look on my face as I set down the empty sample cup. Then I'd reach for the Pepsi cup, sip a little, then turn to the side and spray it out my mouth like they do in the movies. I'd set down the mostly full Pepsi cup and declare that I preferred the first. The poor sample pourer would then have to reveal to the surrounding crowds which one I had chosen. Boy, I was a mean Pepsi challenge taker.
I enjoy a wide variety of cheeses from all over the world. I love a good smoked gouda, havarti, Muenster, Dubliner or the occasional brie. I like to shred some Manchego onto my spaghetti. Of course, there's the mozzarella, parmesan, nacho, cheddar, Colby, Jack and American. I love cottage cheese. One of my favorite might be gorgonzola, but it has to be by Stella. Black River makes a decent gorg, but I can't stand Belgoioso. I'm not a big fan of Swiss. How do they put the holes in Swiss cheese anyway?
Whenever I'm at a grocery store, I hope they'll have a free sample of cheeses for me. One time, the lady had a platter of cheese samples and she just had to tell me that it was imported. I replied, "Well, I guess if it was exported, it wouldn't be here." She didn't think that was very funny.
Speaking of samples, remember the Pepsi Challenge? I used to have fun with those poor souls pouring the samples. I could tell by the way the colas looked in the cup, which was which. I'd deliberately grab the Coke first and swallow it down in one gulp. I'd have a satisfied look on my face as I set down the empty sample cup. Then I'd reach for the Pepsi cup, sip a little, then turn to the side and spray it out my mouth like they do in the movies. I'd set down the mostly full Pepsi cup and declare that I preferred the first. The poor sample pourer would then have to reveal to the surrounding crowds which one I had chosen. Boy, I was a mean Pepsi challenge taker.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
What A Week So Far!
Yesterday, my morning started out with stomach cramps, cold sweats, diarrhea and nausea. Then my base stickers were scraped off so I can't drive on base anymore. This morning started with having to get a ride to PT, then finding out that I won't be working at the Provisions Warehouse any more, but at the Admin Building. That meant biking to work in winter weather. But the new me that I'm discovering is taking this all in stride. All I wanted to do was get home after work, hang out with my family and write to you, my readers.
So here I am. Let's talk about zombies. You know, last night here in Georgia, would have been a creepy night for zombies! It was foggy, cold and dark out. The fog was thick too. With all the trees and the darkness in the forest, I could just imagine some walking stinkers staggering about. I was walking my dog last night and thinking about zombies made all my day's troubles melt away.
So here I am. Let's talk about zombies. You know, last night here in Georgia, would have been a creepy night for zombies! It was foggy, cold and dark out. The fog was thick too. With all the trees and the darkness in the forest, I could just imagine some walking stinkers staggering about. I was walking my dog last night and thinking about zombies made all my day's troubles melt away.
Monday, January 10, 2011
What An Ordeal!
Last April, I sent in my money to the DMV in Arizona cuz I needed to renew my registration which was to expire in May. I waited and waited, but nothing ever came in the mail. When I contacted them, they said they sent me new tags and a new piece of paper saying I had current registration. It just never got to me. They told me for $5, they'd send me a duplicate copy. I don't want to pay more money for something that is rightfully mine.
Since then, I've had my vehicle inspected at least four times at several different gates on this submarine base. Every time, the MAs run my tags and see that my registration is current, no problem. Well, today was a different story. I got another inspection, but the MAs computer was down so they couldn't run my tags. They scraped my base stickers off my wind shield and I had a police car escort me off the base. I can no longer drive my car on base!
Anyway, I still have a loving family and I was able to procure a ride to work tomorrow morning so everything's fine. I'll just have to bite the bullet, pay the five bucks and get me my tags. On a brighter note, my wife has discovered the therapeutic properties of blogging. She started last night and has already published five blogs! I hope you all enjoy her blogs as well as mine.
Since then, I've had my vehicle inspected at least four times at several different gates on this submarine base. Every time, the MAs run my tags and see that my registration is current, no problem. Well, today was a different story. I got another inspection, but the MAs computer was down so they couldn't run my tags. They scraped my base stickers off my wind shield and I had a police car escort me off the base. I can no longer drive my car on base!
Anyway, I still have a loving family and I was able to procure a ride to work tomorrow morning so everything's fine. I'll just have to bite the bullet, pay the five bucks and get me my tags. On a brighter note, my wife has discovered the therapeutic properties of blogging. She started last night and has already published five blogs! I hope you all enjoy her blogs as well as mine.
Half-Mast
I have duty today. I'm in the color detail, which means that I lower or raise the ensign (United States flag) on my duty days. Today we raised the flag at half-mast to honor those who lost their lives at the shooting in Tucson, Arizona. This doesn't just hit close to home with me, this hits home. My wife and I used to eat at the Swenson's ice cream restaurant in the very shopping center that the shootings took place. That little girl who died had just been elected president of some club at her school. She was the chosen representative to attend the function. If she had had fewer votes, she might be alive today.
When your number's up, there's nothing you can do to stop it. On the other hand, when your number's not up, you can go through the craziest shit and live to tell about it. That lady was the target and she survived cuz it wasn't her time to go yet.
One time, a bunch of my friends and I were in the deserts of Tucson and we decided to build a bonfire. What we didn't know was that we happened to be in the middle of a popular target shooting area. There were spent casings all around, but even worse, there were live rounds everywhere as well. The heat from the fire was setting them off. Everyone was scrambling around, hiding behind trees and stuff. I just sat calmly by the fire cuz I knew, if it was my time, one of those stray bullets would hit me or an airplane might crash land into my head if the bullet missed. If it wasn't my time, every bullet would miss me. Some of them came pretty close. One even hit a paper cup that was sitting right next to me, but I was unfazed.
I seem to have a sense about those sorts of things. I don't know if it's insight from above or what. It's like Frankenstein's pinky. When they were shooting the scene where the monster was supposed to chase Victor's fiance on the night of their wedding, the actress was too frightened of Boris Karloff to shoot the scene. Between takes, she was okay, but when he was acting, he was too menacing. He worked out a sign with her. When the director yelled, "Action!" he would chase her, but he would wiggle his pinky to let her know that it was just him underneath all that make-up and costume. He would not harm her. She agreed and they were able to successfully shoot the scene.
No matter what I've been going through in life, there has always been that pinky wiggling to tell me that there's someone who loves me who's in charge of everything. That way I know that even if I don't understand what's going on, I can trust that it's part of a larger plan that I am blessed to be a part of.
As much as I don't like being in the Navy, if I wasn't in the Navy, I might have been eating at that Swenson's with my wife. Some other sailor might have been raising that flag at half-mast in honor of us.
When your number's up, there's nothing you can do to stop it. On the other hand, when your number's not up, you can go through the craziest shit and live to tell about it. That lady was the target and she survived cuz it wasn't her time to go yet.
One time, a bunch of my friends and I were in the deserts of Tucson and we decided to build a bonfire. What we didn't know was that we happened to be in the middle of a popular target shooting area. There were spent casings all around, but even worse, there were live rounds everywhere as well. The heat from the fire was setting them off. Everyone was scrambling around, hiding behind trees and stuff. I just sat calmly by the fire cuz I knew, if it was my time, one of those stray bullets would hit me or an airplane might crash land into my head if the bullet missed. If it wasn't my time, every bullet would miss me. Some of them came pretty close. One even hit a paper cup that was sitting right next to me, but I was unfazed.
I seem to have a sense about those sorts of things. I don't know if it's insight from above or what. It's like Frankenstein's pinky. When they were shooting the scene where the monster was supposed to chase Victor's fiance on the night of their wedding, the actress was too frightened of Boris Karloff to shoot the scene. Between takes, she was okay, but when he was acting, he was too menacing. He worked out a sign with her. When the director yelled, "Action!" he would chase her, but he would wiggle his pinky to let her know that it was just him underneath all that make-up and costume. He would not harm her. She agreed and they were able to successfully shoot the scene.
No matter what I've been going through in life, there has always been that pinky wiggling to tell me that there's someone who loves me who's in charge of everything. That way I know that even if I don't understand what's going on, I can trust that it's part of a larger plan that I am blessed to be a part of.
As much as I don't like being in the Navy, if I wasn't in the Navy, I might have been eating at that Swenson's with my wife. Some other sailor might have been raising that flag at half-mast in honor of us.
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