Thankfulness

Today we say thanks, for what we have, and from here what we have not as well. So without further ado...thanks.

First off I need to say how thankful I am for my wife, who has changed my life (it’s almost like I should rhyme again, but I will resist) and for all the support she has given me. It is hard to put it all in a couple of sentences and all I can really do is let her know that I will keep on being thankful, and doing my best to show her that for the rest of our lives.

Next come Family and friends back home who’ve been there for me (and are still there for me, they are just there and I am here) who I can’t look in the eye, wrap my arms around, and say thank you to. You all know who you are, so pat yourself on the back and know that I am grateful for you all and your support and love.

Now I have to say thanks to some others (they don’t read this yet, but I should probably tell them about it sometime) namely my crew here. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch. And I can smile to myself a little when I think about that. You see there were so many things that I said, “Never again” about after last deployment. I had a dream of a team, or a Family, and knew that when I had to do this again (Jennifer will no doubt notice that I didn’t say “if”) that is what had to be built. And from the top to the bottom, from side to side, and however else you want to call it, there isn’t a finer bunch. They make me proud every day. The way they work, the way we stand together, the way that we know and think of each other at each and every turn. I hope they know when I tell them, “Thanks” and “Good job” and “Y’all make me proud” etc. that I mean that with all that I am. So here’s to the Ox, Caveman, Stacker, Snapper, Robo, Blackout, Papa Smurf, and the Ma’am. Cheers Six, and thanks. You are my Family and my friends and yes (to get all sappy) I love you all. Now get back to work.

And I would be wholly remiss if I didn’t mention Those Guys, my bandmates. Thanks for helping to keep me sane, and making something that regardless of whatever else is going on is something good. Something that is ours. Thanks to Matt, the Bomber, Sprad, David, and Maturin.

Last, but not least to all my other friends and Family here suffering every step of the way together. To the 49^th, for all its good and bad and otherwise is a part of my life that I am proud of. Like it or not we are a Family, with all that comes with it. To name a few (there is no way I would even try to name them all, but they know who they are) Arne, Tim, Top, Cedric, Missy, Jonothan, Sophie, Trevor, Keith, Naz, Jose, Daniel...it’s hard to tell when to stop. Please don’t anybody feel left out my brain kinda hurts here. Thank you all for all that you do...here and there, Family and friends.

Cheers,

g

So the Vacation Is Over

Yep as you will see from recent photos the Vacation From Myself is over. First to go was the hair, it is just too much work to get it cut by a "professional" that and it just takes too long. Used to was, where we were before I could wander over to the "Barber" and get a quick cut. Also, and maybe this is rose-coloured glasses here but, it didn't seem like there were a thousand dudes all looking to get their haircut at the exact same moment as me. I take that back, lines sucked then don't get me wrong that is one thing that never changes, no good comes from standing in the queue. Maybe it was easier last time just to say "Forget it," and walk away. Nowadays it might be days before I get the proper amount of time and getupandgo (for lack of a better term) to actually get it done. So gone is the hair, it is too easy for me to just hit it with the clippers every couple of days.
Next came the 'stache, not that having to shave more or less of my face makes really any difference, but I think only Pirates can pull off the no hair and mustache look. Just not me, maybe I'll get bored again and try something new, but really my choices are pretty limited.
I'll post a picture in a couple of days, but whatever. The amazing thing is that you get all these geeky looks and comments, even though I've had little or no hair and no mustache way more than I have had them, yet it seems like a big deal to some people. I guess I should just be glad that they noticed. Talked to a guy the other day (no names please) and he said he shaved off his mustache the other day for the first time in like 20 years, and only 2 people commented (myself being one, natch) either way, what are you going to do.
Cheers,
g

Here We Are

Face to face, a couple of Silver Spoons. That's me and the Governor, if you'll note my eyes it looks like I am not really sure that I can trust him. But in the end he was a pretty nice guy. There are other pictures that are way better, but they aren't of me (probably at least half the reason why) so I'd need to ask permission to post first.
We tried to take a section picture but were being rushed (probably why we didn't get a unit

photo either {or it could be that I was there, so they couldn't possibly take a unit photo that I was in, those who've seen the current unit photo understand it was taken at Ft. Dix after we'd already left to come here}) but notnetheless some sections had plenty of time to take a couple of pictures, but whatever. If you look really close you can just see me and the MSG.
So there you are, our breakfast with the Gov. By the way he said, "You've got really good food here" and having eaten in the Cafeteria at the Capitol (and gotten pretty messed up from it, not just me either...) I can see where he is coming from.
Cheers,
g

I Forgot...

...to Remember to Forget. Or so said the King. Me though I just forgot, I forgot to get up on time (which in my own defense was early) the other day, then I forgot to bring my camera so that I could be like EVERYONE else and take pictures while we had breakfast with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, then I forgot to get the pictures that were taken of me and Arnold by the PAO. Pretty sure I must have forgot something else today, but I can't remember so...
Breakfast was pretty cool, I mean there really isn't a reason for the Gov. to be here, except he wants to say Hi and Thank You, or whatever. He's not up for re-election and he can't run for President so why else. He said hello to a bunch of Soldier, not just us and gave a couple of speaches that sounded really familiar, but who cares. I haven't seen anyone else come here just to say hello, they all come for some political maneuver or some freak'n photo op. But I digress...
Tomorrow (if I remember) I will post some pictures. I have to warn everyone though, he isn't as tall as you might think.
What was the point of all this? I seem to have lost my train of thought, surely it is sloshing around in the mud somewhere (more on the mud later, I have to take some pictures, 'coz you wouldn't believe it otherwise) or spinning down the drain. I better go take a shower before I forget to.
Cheers,
g

On Armistice Day

So if you checked "the facebook" (I like saying it like that it makes me feel old and crusty) first then you are here for the continuation (seems you only get so many characters there, good thing that aint true here) of what I was trying to say. Here is what I started with...

-Guess I'd better chime in on Veteran's Day or Armistice Day, as it used to was called. A lot of good men and women have served in the making of this great country, and we should all tip our collective hat to them. By standing together we can make a difference in our country and the world. I guess I just want to say something from all of us here/now, and "Thank you" just doesn't seem enough. Maybe it will just have to do though.
Thank you to all the Vets and to all the well wishers. -

No only did I not have enough room for all that, but it just isn't enough, not really. I know it might be weird to hear me say that I am at a loss for words, but...Maybe I'm just tired. You'd think that I would be sure enough to have something eloquent to say, or at least ramble on about. But really "Thank You" says it all. It is weird to say "You're Welcome" but I guess someone should. So I'll step up and say it.

I like to think back on the history of our nation and think about all the people who had to believe in it to make it real. To make it what it is today (and hopefully what it can be tomorrow {'coz I won't lie, it isn't perfect and probably never has been...but that's what it is all about right? striving for the ideal.}) The words, "of the people, by the people" may not seem to always seem to mean as much as they once did, or what they really could, but don't let the hype fool you, don't let the status quo remain if you don't like it. Stand up for what you believe in and "Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Happy Veteran's Day
Thank you
Your Welcome
Cheers,
g
PS-I hope everyone enjoyed their day off (those of you that got one anyway.)
gsk

No Respect for the (Not Really) Classics

I am surprised that no one caught this and tried to rub it in my face. "The Marathon Man" was a movie from the 70's or 80's with Dustin Hoffman, I think it was even set in New York. I guess if I said Arnold Schwarzenegger, everyone would have gotten "The Running Man" probably not so much if I had said Conchita Maria Alfonzo, but whatever.
Cheers to all that did get it (anyone? anyone?) and the rest of you should check out IMDB or Google.
Just taking a few hours off my feet before band practice, you've got to escape however you can. That is the watchword for the deployment so far (and probably for life in general) and on the (how many days has it been now? {somewhere between 30 and 400}) I say unto thee,"Let NOthing Consume you."
Cheers,
g

And Now I Say, "Screw Dustin Hoffman"

I know this is going to be a reach for most everyone but, otherwise it just wouldn't (why does my blog not like contractions? any shouldn't, wouldn't, or isn't wasn't whatever has a little red line under it...and when I click on it, it doesn't {another one} give me any reason or re-spelling) be me would it?
Any way the other night I spoke to my lovely wife and it sounded something like this,"Hi...huh...I decieded...uh...that I was here....nuh...why not...whew...do it...grr...love...errgh...you." Now "here" equals New York City, and "it" equates to The New York Marathon! No shit, 26 (point something) miles through New York...running! Crazy right? Yup that's my wife! I just wanted to say that I love her and am so very proud of her.
No pictures though I'll let her do that herself, or whatever, I guess she already posted it on her "facebook" (seems everyone in the world has a facebook, even some of my relatives) but I just wanted to give her a shout out. "GOOD JOB BABY, LOVE YOU!"
I gotta tell you if it were me, I'd sure as Hell find another way to get to where I was going Way, Way before 26 (point something) miles. I could probably walk 500 miles before that. So big props for the little lady.
Cheers,
g