Not always... a friend of mine had this progression - total stranger, lover, girlfriend, wife - all in less than a day in Jar-ez!

Many choose to skip that fiancee step (isn't that where the expensive diamond ring is 'posed to appear?)! :D

I just got a job making 75k in a shitty economy. This is a big jump from 30k.

Good for you! What field, if I may ask...?

Swore in and signed my contract yesterday. Shipping January 20th. Knowing I have big things headed my way sure brightens my day.

After months of first-hand lessons on hurry-up-and-wait, I signed the blank check addressed to Uncle Sam today :)

To QP's who I've corresponded with since '04. Yes, this is not even the front gate yet, but I need to go through the process to fulfill an unwaiverable requirement for SF. I've learned that SF hates ticketpuncher, so I am committed to give 110% on my assignment. At the same time, I will continue to learn/train on my own time rucking, land-nav, battle drills and other shoot-move-communicate basics. I'll also max out every APFT, marksmanship quals, leadership assessments, avoid injury, and maintain my foreign languages proficiency. By doing so, hopefullly I demonstrate the aptitude (and the right attitude) to try out for, and ultimately to serve in SF.

Uboat509 is right, AMEDD is a completely different animal than regular active duty USAR. However, if and when the opportunity comes where the needs of the army meet my ultimate goal in life, I shall be found ready.

Thank you..
 

Happy thought of my day: Having found the safety of PS.

Glad I am not the POTUS - life far below that level in the USA remains marvelous for my family and myself. :D

And so it rather selfishly goes...;)

Richard's $.02 :munchin

The sight today of two guys on a local street corner selling $5 "FIRE OBAMA" and "DUMP PELOSI!" T-shirts. :D

Picked up a lever-action .357 carbine today.....:D

A Marlin, Rossi or Winchester?

Rossi...Large Loop :cool:

nmap,
Congratulations on passing your comps.
Have you finished your choices for the Dissertation Committee.
I understand that defending the dissertation is proportional to the amount of coffee you consume the two days prior. :D
SnT

Locating a 5'x8' flat bed scanner and someone with the brains to operate said machine.

Family
 

Talked to my old man today!

Thank you!

Our comps are a bit different. In essence, each committee member gives us 1 or 2 questions, each of which has several parts. We then have a semester to write up the answers. Most do 50-100 pages. I dropped 235 pages on them :D . In addition, we have a "strong chair", which means that once the chair says it's a go, the rest of the committee pretty much goes along.

So the next step is to finish the first 3 chapters - also called the proposal. I used the same committee for that as the comps. The first draft is finished (they wanted it trimmed to 100 pages. Gee, I wonder why?). Now I need to nag the chair for input so I can finalize the draft.

I'm advancing, but it feels a great deal like marching through mud. Really deep mud. No doubt my character is being built. ;)

The gun shop called...they got in the match trigger and adjustable tritium sites for my H&K USP Tactical (9mm) today.

Friday I take the pistol in to get the parts installed. :)

I just looked in the mirror and I'm all green...suddenly I just don't like you anymore, nmap :D

It's a beautiful sunny, clear day!
The Navy has been practicing for the air show.
The beach sand warm and the Atlantlic water cool.
Life is good!:D

...until you hear the news about the Nobel Peace Prize:(

Stopped at a rummage sale being held at a small church in the middle-of-nowhere....had a cup of "FREE" coffee...with cream right out of the cow. Bought a stack of books, visited with the locals and paid 90 cents.

First frost last night, beautiful day today. Not a 'peep' or 'crick' from the cicadas. The start on Indian Summer in the Middle of America.

Not one peep from any of the crick's or cicades that live outside my bedroom window at home. One more weekend, and I was going to have to ask their names and birthdates...we had become so close!:eek:

Happier thought...the leaves are turning a deep, violent shade of red and yellow. Dotting the flat terrain, their shades paint a landscape filled with richness, and promise for an early fall.;)

Only wish that some who have recently departed us could be here this fall, to share their thoughts on it...

Holly

I am closing on my new place on Nov. 2nd. Beer and whiskey's on me!:lifter

A Camp MacKall memory moment - in the swamps in the sleet:

We like it here...we like it here...you're effin' A we like it here. :D

NO cold drizzly, misty rain today. Sun came out it was clear blue sky, with glorious sunshine, and almost warm! Life is mosdef good!

It just makes me laugh!
 

What a beautiful morning! Saw a little meteor shower as we did our 6am run. The Bandy Boys are up, happy, and ready for pajama day at school. And my beloved wife somehow got even prettier today than she was yesterday. Yep, gonna be a good day.


Bandy

There was a breath-taking sunrise this morning and the leaves have turned color but not yet fallen making a for a beautiful drive into work this morning.

I told a man that his son's scans showed no evidence of his cancer.

We both cried with joy.

It's been a great day and it's only 1100.

Hard to top that!

My wife is having contractions four minutes apart...should have a daughter popping out any time now!

Oh no, it's only a matter of time before she starts to bring boys home...:mad:

I need to buy more guns.:lifter

I will smoke a good cigar and send prayers up for you, your wife and your
soon-to-be dughter! Congratulations!

And the boy's don't really start to be a problem for another 10-12 years.

Happy Thought
 

I live in the United States of America
My wife
My rifle, a ton of ammo, a good cigar and alot of comp time at work to use..

So I'm upstairs giving the little girl (5) the business about sassing her mom and I hear the boy (7) downstairs telling his mom 'Dad's just like John Wayne, isn't he mom? He just knows how to get it done with us troops!' :)

Best commentary anyone has ever delivered on me EVER & it ain't even close!

Onward
 

Congratulations! My thoughts and prayers are with you, the little one and mom.

From this weekend.

Prayers out for mom and your baby girl!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I see quite a few sleepless nights in your future.:D

The smiles they bring are more than worth it though.
AM

Just now heard those unmistakable radial engines and ran outside to watch a B-24 which just took off and was flying over at around 500' AGL. One of the joys of living near an airport which has an aviation museum and is used as a staging field for the Commemorative Air Force so it must've been their "Ol' 927" bird from Midland/Odessa. :lifter :D

Richard

Crap, I just turned green…
 

Crap, I just turned green… This morning I had my cage rattled buy an F-22A taking off for ‘dawn patrol’ or whatever the pilots call it these days. A pair of old, leaky radials would be a nice change. All well.

Happy thought: jet noise, one of the many sounds of freedom.

While in Va Bch in late Sept, _every_ morning the jets would take off rattling the hotel windows. I loved that sound. Some apparently do not.. A local pawn shop has the perfect reply to those. Yes, it is the sound of freedom and of those who keep me free. I also had a ringside seat so to speak, to see the Blue Angels practicing for the airshow that was to take place the a few days after I left.

I will just have to wait for the Thunderbirds at MacDill next spring I guess. :D