The Wrapping of Specialist Houck

This is what we did the day before Halloween. We taped SPC Houck to SGT Monnier. It was quite interesting watching them walk around all .... attached. Then after SGT Monnier was detached we taped up Houck some more. Yes, we are a lil crazy! :D

Re-enlistment Bonus? What bonus?

It is quite ironic that the $15,000 bonus for National Guard re-enlistment is being ended - because it never existed! Those who have already signed up for the phantom bonus may or may NOT get them. It is up in the air whether or not that will happen - but I will remain optimistic that the Guard will re-allocate some of their own money or risk demoralizing its already overdeployed soldiers.

In Minnesota it is guaranteed that one will get $1,000 a year for each of re-enlistment up to 5 years - and I believe triple that if you are nearing retirement.

It seems odd that this is the reason:
" It turns out that the troops were ineligible for the bonuses because paying activated National Guard troops a selective reserve bonus violates Office of the Secretary of Defense policy, said National Guard Bureau spokesman Jack Harrison."

Go figure?

So I am glad AGAIN that I have decided to get out. All of this red tape and being asked to kill people for the Homeland - not my cup of tea. I cannot wait until I have other options - but until then I will be in Iraq and other places. :)

I do think the moral of the National Guard bonus dilemna is that you should NEVER join the military solely for monetary purposes. That is just silliness. Join it for the glory or killing Arabs or something - then find out what it is like once you get in. (You honestly can't just kill people in the ARMY but it is the whole perception that you can anytime you feel like it that gets some people to join - makes you wonder huh?) :)

180 Days left in the Guard - 30 days left on FOB Spartan

I have been asked several times in the last 2 weeks about re-enlisting in the Minnesota National Guard. "But you will get a bonus" and " But you will get stuck in the IRR and get redeployed." So be it.

I originally signed up for the Minnesota National Guard in 2000. I was knowingly joining a violent organization that uses the tactics of killing other human beings to further a political cause. I no longer can condone that. I want to move beyond that.

The intention of war is to further a nation's goals through violent means. I cannot end a person's life on this planet of my own will. I will fulfill my initial contract, and after it is done with I will work towards helping mankind through nonviolent methods.

Politics is the nonviolent form of furthering ones goals - and is not performed solely by elected officials. Every act in ones life can be seen as political. When you buy from Wal-mart or Target you are making a political statement - and not making another one.

Every time you divert money that could be spent on a Playstation game to preventing and treating malaria in poor nations - you are making a political impact. You could buy the PS2 game and make a different sort of political impact - one that ignores these people so you can spend 2 hours a night beating Final Fantasy XXX.

I am NOT saying videogames are "evil." Entertaining oneself is not an evil thing. But we are not living in a world where people balance their needs with the needs of others. Deciding to buy fewer games - but SHARING them with others , therefore spending less money - could free up a few dollars to help the world's poorest.

Consider this information ( source is UN Foundation) :


"In Africa, mosquitoes can kill. Every 30 seconds an African child dies from a malaria infection transmitted by a mosquito bite. Every day 25 million pregnant African women risk severe illness and harm to their unborn children from a malaria infection. Malaria can be prevented through a simple, inexpensive measure: sleeping each night under a net treated with insecticides that kill mosquitoes or stop them from biting. An insecticide-treated net that remains effective at least four years costs just US$4 to $6, but most Africans cannot afford them.

The UN Foundation is working with the World Health Organization, the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, African governments and individuals to help protect African women and children from this deadly but preventable scourge.

Help make insecticide-treated mosquito nets available to all African women and children."

Is it that HARD to donate $6 a YEAR for such a cause? I would think so.
I tend to donate more money to local causes, but I do donate to Global causes such as this one because it can help so many.

I will probably be harassed to rejoin the military several more times between now and next May. But I was not allowed to live this far and again on this world only to kill other people for the benefit of others. If anyone reading this disagrees with me - please JOIN the ARMY. They need people who wish to kill others more than I do.

Will I think myself better than you? Will I think myself above those who do such a thing? No - you have your own life purpose. This is what I need to do. If you think war is the solution to peace then commit yourself to that cause. I will strive to support a different path.

Jobs for Minneapolis Residents

I have lived in Minneapolis since 2002. I have seen a re-emergence as far as those wanting to live in this very fine city. Yes, it is not perfect - what regional city has been?

I just read a census for the city of Minneapolis(and based on Y2K data). It states that:

-382,618 live in the city
-299,427 jobs are in Minneapolis
-203,951 of those living in Minneapolis that also have jobs
-478,094 is the daytime population of Minneapolis
-95,476 is the increase of the city size during the daytime or 25%
-107,905 of those who live in Minneapolis also work in the city or 52.9% of total city population

What I dislike is that 52.9% of those who have jobs and live in Minneapolis do NOT have jobs there. That is as bad as cities like Detroit,MI and Newark,NJ. But it does make sense in that the people who live in the suburbs and outstate Minnesota perceive Minneapolis as being as bad as these low-class cities. Only those who live or work in Minneapolis would consider the city to be more like New York City.

The perception of Minneapolis is changing, and that is why so many condominiums are being built. Those who work in Minneapolis are deciding it wouldn't be a bad place to live in. In fact, I am quite sure that this ratio has improved since 2000 as it is prior to the "condo boom." If more who worked in Minneapolis lived here, we would have a vastly more sustainable city. Also if more jobs were created in the city, there would be less need for local residents to seek jobs outside of it.

When I return to Minneapolis, I plan to buy a home. I also will look at getting a very part-time job. Maybe a weekend or two a month for a few hours. Someplace in Minneapolis that will allow me to benefit and meet those in the community more.

Brandy is going to college for business management. So I hope she can also have a local job and allow myself to move on from sustaining myself on suburbanites. I do not mind my casino job - but would probably like it more if it were based at the Mall of America. If nothing else, she and I will start some sort of business. But I am in Iraq - not going to brainstorm things up here in the sandstorms!

Congress fighting over FBCB2s?

Okay, this is rather humorous, so I am placing article in entirety here(commentary at the end):

Congress, DOD at odds over added electronics for Humvees

By Lisa Burgess, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, October 21, 2005



ARLINGTON, Va. — House Armed Services Committee members blasted the Army’s plan to outfit 824 brand-new up-armored Humvees with extra electronics before shipping them to Iraq, saying the 45- to 50-day cycle is slowing down a fielding process that has already been achingly slow.

Forty-five to 50 days is “a long time to own those vehicles [and not use them] when we’re under a policy to get every [up-armored] vehicle we can find, not just in the U.S., but in the world,” to Iraq, Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., told Army Secretary Francis Harvey at a Thursday hearing.

Instead of diverting the new Humvees to Fort Hood, Texas, for the electronic retrofit, Hunter suggested, the vehicles should be shipped as quickly as possible straight to the Middle East.

That way, soldiers can take advantage of the upgraded armor, even without the additional electronics, which mechanics can add in-theater, Hunter said.

But the Army has deemed the new electronics “necessary for the additional survivability and command and control” of Iraq-bound up-armored Humvees, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody told HASC committee members during Thursday’s hearing.

True, “armor provides a certain level of protection,” Cody said. But, he added, even the Army’s heaviest tank can be vulnerable to certain explosives.

Meanwhile, the “situational awareness” provided by the high- tech electronics “gives the soldier the knowledge to avoid an IED,” or improvised explosive device — not endure the blast, Cody said.

The system under debate is dubbed “Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below,” or FBCB2.

FBCB2 may be an awkward moniker — Cody stumbled over it repeatedly — but it is one of the modernization linchpins for both the Army and the Marine Corps.

The system fuses computer hardware and software, digital maps and displays, and wireless and satellite radio to help U.S. troops tell friend from foe. Its digital displays automatically updating every “subscriber” unit with the latest picture of the battlefield, with information on enemy forces and specific targets.

Both the Army and the Marine Corps plan to outfit most of their aircraft and field vehicles with the system over the next several years, and a number of platforms, including the Army’s new Stryker wheeled combat vehicle, already have FBCB2 installed.

In July, the Army decided to divert 824 armored Humvees coming off the assembly line in Detroit to Fort Hood, where technicians would take about 14 days to install each FBCB2, Harvey said.

Two weeks is “the least amount of time” to install the gear, compared with two months in Kuwait, Harvey said.

“Why does it take four times as long” in Kuwait? Hunter asked.

Neither Cody nor Harvey had an answer.

“Clearly when all is said and done, you have demonstrated [that] you want to have this [electronic] equipment,” Hunter said. “Now my recommendation is that you try to come up with some kind of a plan that could get you utilizing these [Humvees] in-theater as quickly as possible … protecting people who are deployed right now.”
--------------------------


Okay, I install FBCB2s. In fact, they are part of an ARMY wide plan to gain TONS of information from the "battlefield." In reality, they allow for TOO MUCH information to be sent that will doom us in a future war. But the ARMY seems to think overwhelming itself with information is good, so let them have it.

Now the article states something about 14 days to install an FBCB2. I install them and it would take less than a day. Now if you are talking about 500 some humvees - yes I would need a lot of help and more than 14 days. But the real issue is that at Fort Hood the company that MAKES FBCB2s wants to make money. They have employees in Iraq that could do that job also - if soldiers like myself do not. BUT it COSTS money to ship all the parts over to Iraq - and it is a much easier way to profit when you have your products and services centrally located.

The FBCB2 system costs much more than I will ever make in my "military career" - so imagine what they charge for installation and how much easier it is to turn a profit for them.

When the ARMY is spending $750 for a single lousy speaker ( 2 per vehicle - one per radio) - anyone greedy will try to take advantage of you. At least congressment (for once) have started to catch on - and yet the Pentagon still defends their war-profiteering "friends." Being deployed to Iraq, I have been appalled to know the true price of the taxpayers are paying for what we use. Oh well, I won't worry about that now - twill continue drinking my $2.50 Red Bulls. ;)

PX never seems open

One thing rather annoying on our FOB is how little our PX is open. But it has been closed on this Friday/Saturday - which it wasn't scheduled to be. Basically it was closed 4 days open 3. When I went their last night ( Saturday) at 1930 they were closed - with a sign stating they were at the firing range. Funny, since I knew they had been back on the FOB since 1700.

I wasn't the only one annoyed. On the printed notice there was an angry scribbling proclaiming " LIES, LIES, ALL SCANDALOUS LIES!" Underneath the store hours was written in different handwriting one word: "NEVER"

It is tough enough living on an ARMY FOB as a vegetarian. Our KBR DFAC is rather pathetic in serving nutritious foods. Meat consumption comprises 75% of all served dishes. White bread and other refined/manufactured foods represent 20% and nearly ripe vegetables/fruits/legumes about 15%. They veggies tend to have bits of meat mixed like the collard greens and baked beans.

But I only have about a month left. So all is good as long as I do not starve. :)

Bongos and Hescoes (part 2)

Today I will discuss bongo trucks. They are quite popular all over the world - except for Europe and the United States. They are cheap and can haul many things. In the Diyala Province of Iraq - they like to haul watermelons. Iraq has many industries but specializes in Oil and growing watermelons.

During the summers, it is quite humorous to watch the highway and see many bongo trucks overfilled with watermelons heading to Baghdad. The ones heading north are empty. Baghdadians L<3VE them some watermelons!

I happen to enjoy them myself! I have also had fresh grapes grown right off the Tigris River. Yummilicious! They are just fine non-refrigerated!

Well I have this plan that deals with Hescos and bongos. I plan to buy them both for when I get home. Then I will put the Hesco in the back of my bongo. I will grow a big unspecified Weed plant and smoke some herb just dried from my special plant. I think that is about as sustainable as you can get!

Okay, mayhaps not - but I can imagine someone doing it at some point! Thas the image I came up with after only being in Iraq for one month - too bad I am not artist with Adobe Photoshop. Otherwise I'd make it myself somehow - or I'd make an interesting artistic impression.

Any other thoughts on Hescos and Bongos? ;)

Hescos and bongos (Part 1)

I have been asked " Can you tell me about Iraq?" and so I tell them "Hescos and Bongos" And you say - what?

Well, we surround things with them as a defensive measure.

To the left are some British troops filling them up. Looks like fun right? Not really - but we all pretend it is. And pretending is half the battle.

I always joke about "Watering the Hescos" but our FOB Defense NCO and Officer do not find it very funny. They think that if plants were to grow in them their roots would destroy them. As if - we need green camoflauge! We are in the desert but guess what? Our new uniforms have GREEN in them - so should the Hescos.


The ARMY has this to say:
Concertainer® from HESCO is acknowledged as the most significant development in field fortifications since WWII. It has been a key component in providing force protection since the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Typical applications include perimeter security and defence walls, equipment revetments, ammunition compounds, personnel and material bunkers, observation points, defensive firing positions, guard posts, explosives and contraband search areas, highway checkpoints, border crossing checkpoints, and protecting existing structures
~~~~~~

Whatever - they are just Hescos. I have this HUGE PLAN for them - but I will talk about that later.

I also think that the ARMY should use them like Time Capsules. But no one wants to toss their PS2 or other significant items into them. They also think it is silly. But I disagree. Thus far I have donated 7 donuts, 16 books by Stephen King, 7 cans of Red Bull, 10 random letters people have written me, 6 random DVDs that I was bored of anyways, 4 stars and stripes newspapers, a pocketknife, and one expired credit card. I think I will show the future what things were like here! Either that or the Hescos will get cleaned up by some future military organization - be it US or Iraqi.

Any other thoughts on what to do with Hescos before I go into my spiel about them later?

Metric tastes better

I know - you are thinking " How is that even possible?" - well it is. I am in Iraq and I have put two cans side by side of various different colas. It has been 12 ounce versus 330 milileters since January 9th.

So when I am gulping down a 7-up, Sprite, or Pepsi - I make sure I have one of each can. Then I decide which one tasted better. I have found that 85% of all metric cans taste slightly better than the American Standard ones. I say American Standard because even the British have given up as well as everyone else (yp that small country in Africa too!). So it can be officially re-dubbed "Americanan."

But now I am starting to feel it is some conspiracy. That the entire thing is a set-up so that we Americans are unable to experience the same things as the rest of the world. That we are deliberately setting ourselves against the world - for some final giant war.

I hope I do not scare anyone. But what if it is all true? The solution??
Contact your local Pepsi and Coke dealer and let them know you won't buy ANYTHING BUT METRIC. That's right. Avert a world war over such trivialities now - and things can only get better! No more pounds! Hello kilograms! ( I weight 61.4 - sounds pretty low huh?)

Ohh....and stop COLLECTING crazy non-metric stuff too!

Buddhism with an attitude

I just finished reading Buddhism with an Attitude by B. Alan Wallace. The book is subtitled "The Tibetan Seven-Point Mind Training" and rigorous spiritual training it is!

Contained within are many Buddhist fundamentals - but solutions that seem quite effective. I took several pages of notes and now feel better prepared in my spiritual journey. Overcoming the eight mundane concerns will be difficult but I will put effort in doing so.

Upon returning home to Minneapolis I will find a spiritual mentor. To be a solitary practitioner of any faith makes it harder to develop ones skills. But if you consider yourself a spiritual apprentice of one with wisdome and experience - you can attain mastery from a mentor faster.

It is also quite true that independence is an illusion. In America we like to think we can live free and independent lives. But we very much depend on others for all that we cannot do ourself. And sometimes we cannot even sustain our needs - and others step in to help( hopefully ).

Pot grows brain cells?

My pothead friends might find this story interesting. ;)
It is ironic that in High School I hung out with the druggies and the Christians(Jesus freaks is what they prefer to be called) - oh and the nerds! And yet here I am - normal me. Not that I am much of any of those - just interesting people is who I hang out with. :D

Anywho, the fact that scientists FINALLY figured out that brain cells can re-grow makes me feel better. I always thought it rather odd that they stated we "couldn't" that at age 25 or something our brains stopped growing cells. That is just not true. Our minds stabilize at 25 years usually - but we can always re-shape our minds.

This is something that has been a part of Buddhist practice. To re-shape how the mind works so that it is not as dysfunctional as it normally is. It would be silly to try to do something if the mind could not create new neurons that would stabilize it.

Snakes should not eat alligators

I do not think there is much else to say.

.....

but I will say more!

Snakes are extremely immoral creatures. They allowed the Satanic forces of Anti-God to inhabit their bodies in the early writings of Jesus and the Literal Texts of Christianity ( + Judaism ) - also known as the Holy Roman Bible. The EVIL snake convinced Eve to eat a horrible tasting Red Delicious apple. This marked the downward spiral for human humanity ever since - according to the writings previously stated (ignoring all Human achievements and this is true ).

So NOW snakes are destroying the sanctity of nature itself! This is not new - but look - they are eating alligators! How are people going to say "See you later alligator" if the gators are all eaten by the evil snakes? This is downright immoral, selfish, and destructive of snakes. I say we eliminate them all like on that Simpson's episode. It is the just thing to do with this Un-Godly creature who lost his feet because of evil deeds. ( just for the record there ARE no snakes with feet - the book previously stated proves that without a doubt. They lost them due to their immoral nature. )

FOB PX and DFAC 1

11 Oct 05

One thing I find particularly odd about the FOB I am at is our PX. It is run by our HHD military personnel - one NCOIC and one soldier. Our FOB is the size of a small town - let's just say over 400 people - yet our sole store is only open odd hous.

The Fob Spartan PX is open:

Monday & Wednesday = Closed for "inventory"
Tuesday & Thursday = 10:30-1200 1300-1600 1800-2000
Friday,Saturday,& Sunday = 1100-1200 1300-1600 1800-2000

The PX is therefore open 31 hours per week. I do not know what the Specialist who runs the places does the rest of her time - but it seems like she works less than most soldiers do in 3 days.

Our dining facility ( DFAC ) has more regular hours - in fact 7 days a week hours.

The Spartan DFAC is open:

0530-0800
1130-1300
1700-2000
2300-0100

That is 63 hours per week. The DFAC is open twice as much as the PX. The DFAC is run by KBR but had the same hours when run by soldiers. Now it seems rather odd that something that is only open during meal hours can surpass a business that is normally run for-profit.

Due to its erractic hours I never bothered to go there. I figured there was no point because every time I went their randomly - they were closed. So I went for the second time last month and went 2 other times. How did I do that? By writing down their open times - and it has helped since other soldiers ask me when it is open too. SO it works out.

Not re-enlisting

I have decided I will not re-enlist in the ARMY. I will finish out my initial obligation and take the risk of being on IRR to maximize the time I can spend with friends, family, and reality. If I re-enlist I will get deployed. If I do not re-enlist I will probably still get deployed but will do my best to create some red-tape for the military ( slows them down but does not stop them and at least it will give me more time to prepare again).

You could say that I had a sort of vision the other day. I am more of a Tibetan Buddhist - it seems to fit me. Even they believe in spirits and spirit guides - both enlightened and non. So you could say I was explained to by my spirit guide that I would be making a decision about my life - I would decide then if I wanted to die on a FOB or get out while I could. I was told that if I got out I would find a much more rewarding life than I could have dreamed - much more than the measley bonus the ARMY was putting in front of me.

I was also given a fear - kind of like a fear of death type feeling. I know it is not the right time for me to die - and that is how it felt. Like I had a choice to die prematurely from something that I had a choice about. Do I really want to increase the odds of getting blown up while sitting in a humvee someday? Or would I rather live a little longer and die another way.

I am not really scared of dying. I know it will happen someday - and even when I was hit with this immenent death like feeling I found a way to just accept it if it were to happen. But I know if I can prevent it that I will.

I do not think the ARMY is evil or anything. It is a violent organization, and I honestly feel like I am folding a new life for myself spritually by leaving it. I have spent other lifetimes in other militaries - and now feel that violence may have short-term benefits but has long-term consequences for the planet. I really do not want to support violence any longer. There are better and more sustainable ways to live life. Those are where I want to be - not what I have seen in the ARMY.

I am just glad I have FINALLY started learning these lessons. I am also glad I can just move on about this subject and no longer worry about it. I have a resolution and can just focus on the important aspects of life and not worry about the ARMY as much as I could if I re-enlisted.

If you think the ARMY needs more support - then join up. I am done supporting it.

Just know that when you join that war is the violent form of politics - and politics is the nonviolent form of war. You can fight a battle for someone else - but you can always choose your own destiny.

Kids in Iraq

One thing that many soldiers comment on and few Americans thing about are the Iraqi children. There is a lot of discussion about them as they make themselves quite visible to coalition forces in Iraq - it seems the US ARMY especially ( maybe because we drive such large vehicles?).


I usually see children while on convoys between FOBs.They usually stand at the side of the road and wave at us - or wave within a vehicle pulled over at the side of the road. Seeing them is a good sign that you will not be attacked. Not seeing them where you usually do is a bad sign.
When I am in the lead vehicle I usually see them running up to the roads so they can wave at us and see our convoy drive past. It is almost like a kid seeing an ice cream truck or parade drive by their home in America. It seems to mean a lot to the children here to see the ARMY vehicles drive by. I am sure they understand the significance of our presence and realize we mean them no harm.

Other times I see children is when we visit their towns. It is not very often that we visit these towns, but usually we bring gifts for the children. And like the Grandpa or Uncle who gives gifts to kids in America - we are inundated with children asking for things. It is rather annoying having a child ask you for your watch or anything else you have. Some are downright greedy taking what they please, while other kids are left in the background with much less.

Many soldiers comment that the children in Iraq are the greediest and most spoiled children on Earth. Of course if all you do is shower these kids with gifts, they are not going to see you as anything but a gift-giver. Some will want more - and so I see no difference between these children and American. I have seen children disciplined by their parents or even told they cannot take anything from us. So I do not think that all the parents here condone greediness. In fact I am sure the local population blames us just as much as we blame them for such greedy children. I just know when I was younger I was a bit greedy for candy and other things when with my grandparents. ;)

Another thing about the children here is that they want to have a conversation with us. The problem is that they do not speak English. So one thing that they have asked soldiers repeatedly is one that is difficult to ask nonverbally. The kids point to their crotch asking a question. Usually soldiers first encountering this are confused and eventually the kids pull down their pants to show that they are circumcised. Yes - they want to know if all of us soldiers are circumcised or not. Sounds odd - but a lot of soldiers have been shocked to have little boys show them their privates.

Why I might stay in...

Okay, I have been asked why I might stay in the Minnesota National Guard. I do have issues with being in it - mainly the fact I cannot be with my family - who need me. The fact is - I have 2 YEARS of Individual Ready Reserve left from my initial contract. So I could end up back in Iraq anytime between now and May of 2008. Yes they could wait until spring of 2008 and spring upon me a deployment until around 2009.

 

So - I could be in until 2009. Since my active reserve is up in May - I could get a bonus for re-enlisting. In fact - if I sign up in Iraq it will be "tax free" ( AKA no taxes except 15% on Social Security).  The bonus for 3 years could be $13,000 -- $10K from the Feds and $3K from Minnesota. No one on our FOB seems to know what the bonus is - nor does anyone have the new fiscal year re-enlistment paperwork yet.

 

So the issue is - why go back to Iraq with no bonus when I can get one and still the get a second tour of Iraq? They aren't really sneaking another year out of me - they already have me. I could choose to be deployed with Minnesotans for a bonus - or I can go with a bunch of people who have quit the military and will be rather "pissed off" having to deploy again. Hmm - sounds like I will go with the happier Minnesotans as long as I get a decent bonus.

 

I plan to buy a home when I get back to. I am looking at anything affordable - shocked at how little townhomes have appreciated. ( and how many are available  - not always a good sign).  I am looking for a place with a decent location and large enough to house my family and one extra room. ( AKA a 3 bedroom would be a plus). 

 

I am rather tired of renting. It has served its purpose - but now my credit rating is good, interest rates are good - and I have some money saved. If I get an ARMY bonus - that is just that much more I can use to ensure financial stability for my family.

 

I have also found a National Guard unit in Brooklyn Park. Unfortunately it is doing a job that I have been doing most of my deployment time - sitting at a radio!! Yeah - that would be my official military job - not just one I am assigned to for deployments. I would be rather bored - but at least I could read a few books. :) 

 

But if I stay in it should go a lot smoother than while I have been here.

 

Anyone else care to give any other arguments? ;)

 

 

Famous Buddhists

This is something I found rather interesting the other day. Obviously the religion being new to the United States and one of the fastest growing means this list will grow. But at the same time, it makes sense because we in America are making the religion more personal than in Eastern nations. We feel that we can work to attain enlightenement without waiting until a future lifetime. (which doesn't make the work any easier - but it means we don't have to commit our lives to a monastery)


---------
When we have found names of additional famous Buddhists not listed on these other pages, or when we have created dedicated spiritual biography pages for these individuals, we have listed them here:

Richard Gere - actor, movie star
Ernestine Anderson - jazz singer
Laurie Anderson - performance artist
Kate Bosworth - actress
Orlando Bloom - actor
Susan Blackmore - parapsychologist, Zen Buddhist, ghost buster, professional skeptic
Cora L. E. Christian - Black female doctor who was an independent candidate for Governor of U.S. Virgin Islands, 2002.
Leonard Cohen - Canadian poet, novelist
Rob Cohen - film director
Dadon Dawadolma - singer, actress
Diane di Prima - Feminist poet
Nathaniel Dorsky - filmmaker
Frank Herbert - science fiction writer famous for Dune series
Becky Johnston - author, screenwriter
Phil Jackson - basketball coach
Jack Kerouac - poet, writer
George Lucas - film producer, director ("Star Wars")
Jennifer Lopez - singer, actress
Joanna Lumley - actress
Melissa Mathison - screenwriter
Tano Maeda - filmmaker
Me'shell Ndegeocello - musician, songwriter
Bruce Joel Rubin - screenwriter
Keanu Reeves - actor
Michael Stipe - musician
Oliver Stone - film director
Patti Smith - rock star
Steven Seagal - actor
Renee Tajima-Pena - filmmaker
Tina Turner - singer
Uma Thurman - actress
Babeth VanLoo - filmmaker
Gene Vincent - rockabilly musician
Mark Wahlberg - rap singer, actor
Ruby Wax - actress, comedienne
Adam Yauch (MCA of the Beasties) - rap singer

My time home on Leave from Iraq

9 August 2005

I was able to leave my FOB and go to Anaconda in Iraq. Yes - I was going on leave back to Minnesota. . What was crazy. is that the two days before I got to Anaconda there were sandstorms. Due to those sandstorms there was a LONG line of soldiers that were waiting to go on leave. I ended up spending 5 days at Anaconda.


Those days I spent talking to friends online, reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, reading the news, and contemplating what I would do on leave and how I wanted to get back. That and sleeping/napping. :)


I know I talked to Kim Simek, Angel DuCharme, Dave Pekarna, Weeraya , Glen Goldsby,Amy Younkin, and Jessica Fahrenkamp. It was nice having the internet near my tent those days. I do not know how I would have been without being able to chat with people online or on the phone! But thank goodness the ARMY does its best to take care of its soldiers.


I was finally able to leave Anaconda on the 13th at 1am.


I was in Kuwait for less than 24 hours - and was off to Ireland and then Dallas - then Minneapolis. . Yeah it was a LOT of flying!


I had a 4 1/2 hour conversation with another Sergeant from California on interior design, fashion and our lives - but mainly hers. Her name is Sylvia Maldonado - and I consider her to be more of an artist than anything else. It is in the way that she sees things - colors, shapes, ideas - they are all in a more artistic and visual form to her.


And when did I get back home? The 15th of August at around 5PM.


15 August 2005.


Brandy was waiting for me at the airport. :) On the phone she told me that she would not be able to be there at all - just so that she could surprise me when I got there. Josiah was being watched by her friend Lori Yakle.


SO we took the light rail from the Minneapolis Saint Paul Airport ( MSP ) and went straight to the Franklin Avenue exit and took the #2 bus. home. It felt so familiar to be home! I already felt home by taking the light-rail. I very much LOVE Minneapolis compared to other places I have seen. ( Though I like New York City - it is not green enough and too expensive to live in!)


We went home right away and yeah - we snogged a bit. ;)


Then we went to Lori's place further east on Franklin Avenue - just past the LRT station and picked up Josiah. I met both Lori and Toni there. Siah was already asleep when I got there at around 7:30PM so I gave him a hug while he was asleep.


So we just hung out there for a bit, and then took Siah home after that. He woke up when I carried him down to Lori's car. Siah remembered who I was as he woke up and gave me a big hug. On the ride home he started waking up a bit and talked a bit to me. He was very happy that I was back home.


16 August 05


I was very tired after being up for such a long time. But I believe that I woke up the next day later than I would the entire leave. I had a breakfast of Hemp Granola with soymilk - a delicacy I had not had in a long time. :) Siah had honey-nut cheerios - but an organic/natural brand.


I do know that while I have been gone Brandy has been going mainly to the Wedge and Seward Co-ops for her food. So we are big organic/healthy food fans.


I cannot exactly remember what I did specifically for each day that I was home with Josiah. I know I spent every morning with him if no one else was. We went to several different parks.


I noticed the first day how he wanted to watch the cars over the interstate bridge. He would just stop and look down at all the cars through the metal mesh gate that they have surrounding the sides of the walking bridge. He called semitrucks buses - so I corrected him. He said "Semi-truck?" and from then on called them what they actually were. But he yelled at each specific type of vehicle.


Josiah has a book about all the different types of vehicles that people use. It has been one of his favorite books since he was about a year old.


Later that day - I would say evening we went over to Lori's with Josiah. Lori was very nice in watching Josiah again while Brandy and I went out with Toni. It was a full moon night - and we ended up going to a party.


17 August 05


I cannot say I remember every exact detail of my leave from day to day. But I know that Tuesday night Toni stayed over at our place. So the next morning I made one of my specialty breakfasts - blueberry pancakes.


I know that Siah, Toni and Brandy enjoyed them. I made enough for Anne and Matt - but they were busy or just not interested.


18 August 05


Let me just go down the list of other things me and Siah did. 1) went swimming on 3 days in kiddie pools in Minneapolis parks 2) Went to the Minnesota Zoo. 3) Went on 3 picnics - one at Loring park - one at Stevens Square park and one at Minnehaha Park.


Siah and I went to Minnehaha park 3 times - it is our favorite park. I suppose because it is very spacious for running around and also has waterfalls and a creek. Siah and I also like the fact the the light-rail goes all the way there. Josiah loves trains! ( or rather any vehicle!)


19 August 05


Josiah's Birthday!
Brandy and I took him to Holy Land in North Minneapolis on Central Avenue. Josiah's favorite snack is pitas and hummus. Holy Land is the only brand we buy for those - and all made at the same location as the store. So we went there and enjoyed their lunch buffet! Siah loved it - though he was a bit hyper. ( took the #10 bus)


It was nice getting out with Brandy and Siah - though he was so much more active than I last saw him. But he even though he wasn't as quick to shape up after being punished ( usually time-outs) he gradually improved his behavior as I was home longer.


20 August 05


I do not remember exactly what night - but Toni, Brandy and I went to a party - an artists' party in one of those expensive condos just north across the Mississippi - and overlooking the river and downtown. It was on the 18th floor - and yes quite a good view.


I enjoyed a painting of hers with all these bees. Seemed to be one of her signature pieces - and I liked it very much. The bees were either smiling or weren't and had interesting eyes and were just buzzing around. Seemed like the ones in the middle who were all muddled were more often less happy than the ones towards the periphery of the group.


At the party I also met an Israeli woman who served in her nation's military as an officer. She was interested in my take on the Iraqi war and what I was doing there. She was genuinely interested in knowing a lot about it - though she had a VERY thick accent and I could not always understand her over all the noise.


We stayed out REAL late - I think 1:30 am - and then took a taxi and took Josiah home. Lori gave us all a ride. It was nice.


21 August 05


We did celebrate Josiah's birthday in our apartment's courtyard. We invited a LOT more people than actually showed up. It would have been nice to have more show up - but I do not think SIah will be too upset about it, because he had a lot of fun!


Ruth Sherman and her new boyfriend ( grrr...I cannot remember his name - twill update when I can re-remember - he's a WWOOFer. ) came - and they tended to wrestle with Josiah in the courtyard more than most.


Matt and Anne Stang were at the festivities - and presented Siah with a set of percussion instruments - including a bongo drum, kazoo,


My Grandma Loretta Dougherty ( on my Mother's side) visited staying a couple days and was at Josiah's Birthday party.


Toni was also at the party. Her ex-boyfriend decided to visit. ( his name I do not recall)


22 August


My Mom and Sue visited on a later day very briefly. They visited on another day and we went to Chipotle's in Upotown. They had never been there before and were rather impressed.



23 August


Brandy, Siah and I went to Loring Park and had a picnic with Lori. We had some of our own snacks - but picked up sandwhiches at the Wedge. And since it is only a few blocks from the park it worked out nicely.


Brandy had never been to the sculpture gardens across Interstate 94 from the park. So we went there afterwards. Josiah enjoyed running around in this area as there was a lot of open space.


Later that evening I went to Minnehaha Park with Josiah. This was more of an outdoors day with Siah.


That evening I went out with Toni and we went to the Viking Bar and were able to listen to her friend Rena Haus sing. Toni was even able to get a chance to go onstage and sing one song with her. Her friend Chaz and his band also were able to play a bit.


Toni and I even got to dance a bit - but honestly I am not big into country music dancing unless I am a bit more buzzed on alcohol. ( not that I drink a lot but I usually do when I go dancing to relax a bit - unfortunately for me I was not hit with that until AFTER we danced ;) )

No peeps - I have not become a big drinker! In fact I drank more on leave than I normally did. I still do not keep it in my home - nor plan to in the near future.




24 August 05


I know at one point Amber Stang visited. She came by on a Friday to pick up her sister Anne - who watches Josiah with Matt while Brandy goes to classes. Amber has a son named Adrian - who is a couple years older than Siah.


It is interesting that I met Amber while working as a supervisor at the Burger King in the Crossroads Mall of Saint Cloud in late 2000. I never really talked to her a whole lot, but she is an interesting chica. Currently she lives up in Sartell.


25 August 05


Angel DuCharme was able to visit - which as great because she could meet Siah for the first time! Angel has really been my longest friend in this world. Our parents all got along well for many years - until the divorce.


We went to Erbert & Gerberts on University. I suppose that would be in Dinkytown. We also chit-chatted at my apartment for quite a while. It was nice being able to see her after such a long time.



26 August 05


I know that at one point I ordered pizza from Pizza Luce - which is the best pizza place in Minneapolis! I usually get the pizza athena which has artichoke hearts and ricotta cheese.


27 August 05


I probably could have written down what I did each day I was home. Now that it is October it is rather difficult to remember every little detail of my leave. It went quickly and I was busy each and every day. I know I slept 5 hours or less a night each day. And I didn't let myself get tired - just go-go-go because I wouldn't be back home for a long time.


Yet I did take naps with Josiah at times. He and I spent a lot of time together - over half of my time was just him and me it seems. Obviously we wrestled/played a lot - but I also had to discipline him a lot for not listening or just doing things he knows is wrong.


At night Brandy and I would watch Season 27 of Doctor WHo! Compared to the audio dramas it was decent. I liked that it was a live-action television show again - but compared to the books and the CDs - it just paled in comparison to their in depth storylines. But I did not hate the series - it had some AMAZING episodes and some that were just okay. There will be a Christmas special in December - so I am looking forward to downloading that.


How did I get the new Dr. Who episodes? From a fan who belongs to the Minnesota Doctor Who Viewing Society.! A guy just offered to give me the ENTIRE season on DVD and some older episodes for FREE when I went on leave! Yeah, super awesome!


Not all the episodes worked on our brand-new Dell - but in Iraq I have used some other laptops that played them all. SO I have been sharing some of my favorite episodes with my comrades.


28 August 05


I know I met up with a Peak Oil Awareness group for a photo shoot. The Southwest Journal was going to have an article about Peak Oil. I cannot say that I have seen the article online yet. But at the same time that does not mean it did not happen. I just wish that more articles WERE posted online.


29 August 05



30 August 05


On this day we went out with our friend Ruth Sherman and her new boyfriend ( name still evades me) to Maria's Cafe. It is an awesome lil place on Franklin Avenue. Josiah was in a super hyper and non-cooperative mood - so he had one time-out while there. He did not enjoy it very much, but he had to learn to be proper in public.


A little afterwards we met up with Mary Hauser and Dean Zimmerman. They live just a couple blocks south of our apartment on Clinton Avenue. We discussed the Iraqi war and local politics. I really enjoyed the conversations and I am glad that our city has had such a leader in its ranks.


Yes, Dean is a bit idealistic. He pointed out an e-mail to me where he has a goal to have 90% of all food consumed in Minneapolis to be Certified Organic by 2020 as well as other laudable goals. IMHO these goals are amazing - but I would like them to be more attainable.


I personally already meet a lot of his goals - but the average Joe is not going to spend more on food, on electricity, and give up their car. We live in a society of greed and want - while ignoring the repurcussions. We live in a lazy society that cares not for future generations. Only when our society awakens to this will things change.


But it is unfortunate that Dean Zimmerman could have been involved in being bribed. But I highly doubt that he would do such a thing! He was a large part of the food co-operative movement in Minneapolis in the 70's. He was also a Communist. I don't think that he would take money just to do others' biddings if he didn't see any value to his constituents as a whole.




31 August 05

I had to leave my Brandy and Josiah. Preparing the night before made things only slightly better. I always feel better prepared for things. Brandy did not want to go with me when I left - and Siah did not understand that I was leaving for a very long time. Yeah, not as long as before but I told him a few months and that I loved him. He always gives hugs. :)

Arrived in Iraq

This is the day that I arrived in Iraq. I am writing this in September of 2005 and now know that we will be leaving where I am at on November 23rd of this year.

I started out the year working in my company ( A 1-194 AR ) operations and part-time commo/signal guy - working 8 hour days and no days off.
Within 3 weeks I was op-conned to work for our battalion (793 MP BN) and worked 12 1/2 hour days , 7 days a week but one or two days off a month.

I did many great things for the battalion. It earned me my E5 - making me a Sergeant in April.
I also will be receiving the best NCOER I have ever had soon because of my excellent work there. I did receive a certificate of recognition at a ceremony - though no real award. Nonetheless I appreciated it, because you do not always get recognized in the ARMY as the mission means we are always at work.

I went on leave in August - and had 15 days home. ( more details on that date)

All I know is that I miss my family and friends dearly. I had already spent several months in New Jersey at Fort Dix training up to be in Iraq - since October 2004!

The Streets Concert

I went to see The Streets at the Fine Line in downtown MPLS. They rock! Heard some tracks from his new album that I hadn't heard yet. Wish he'd come back here, don't know what I'll do until then. Listen to something put out by the Rhymesayer's crew! :D