Pimpin Aint Easy but it sho is fun!!!

In honor of my Airborne buddies and our astute fashion sense I have posted the above picture. Who knew that Columbus GA and Ontime Fashions (The lovely store that sold it to us) would part with such thread. This picture reminds me that while I am 30 chronologicially I am doing things that an 18 year would do. Usually when people hit 30 buy real estate, start a family and have kids. Me what do I do? I go and voluntarily jump out of a perfectly good airplane and also agree to head to the desert for 12 months. I did buy real estate though.
It is funny to listen to folks say I'm too old for this or I wish I were younger, I would do it in a second. You are only as old as you feel and act. Airborne is a perfect example, we had a COL who was turning 50 jump out of the plane with youngsters that could be his grand children. I guess my point is the human mind, body and spirit is a remarkable thing. You really can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. That is one of the greatest things about the Army Airborne Training. Most of what we did, whether it be rolling around in peet gravel on the command of "Jumpers hit it!!" or getting up when most people are just rolling in from a night with CPT Morgan to run five miles was not fun or desireable. However, I got through it and had and kept my eye on the prize, which was making five jumps out of a perfectly good airplane.
I guess my main point of this post is that you are never too old to do anything if you put your mind to it. Only 24 more days to go...........

25 Days and Counting.......

Now that the initial shock has worn off, the countdown begins. There are definately plusses and minuses to leaving the country. The good thing about deploying is high speed stuff you get. I am being issued three of the new high speed Army Combat Uniforms or ACUs. What is even better is I get brown boots with these uniforms. This means no more polishing or as SFC B always says "using Kiwi and water to get the best shine." Scrubbing the brown boots will be much better than polishing the black ones. I will not have to deal with getting that polish underneath my finger nails. One down side is now I have about six pairs of black boots. I guess the paint ball or survialist types can use them. I will probably try to sell them to an Army Navy store or put them on E-Bay. If a hotdog from the NFC Championship game is being bid for around 10, 000 dollars anything is possible. Another good thing about deploying is I will be packin. I will be issued a rifle and a pistol. Nice!!!! The phrase "make a move for your gat and I'' burry ya!" takes on a whole new meaning. Although I can't say I'm commin straight of Compton. All the NWA fans who read this will know what I am talking about with that last phrase.
What I will also miss is Diablos baseball. The Diablos are a team that belongs to the PSSBL here in Washington. It is an adult baseball league, that I have had the pleasure of playing in. It starts with a trip to the batting cages indoors followed by Superbowl Weekend. These two things signal the countdown to spring and baseball. There is nothing like playing a 10:00 game at Lower Woodland park. The early morning mists lingers on the tree tops before the sun rises up to burn it off. I will not have the opportunity to experience those pre-game butterflies that I have recieved for the past 20 years I have played this game. I will miss yelling out Karate Kid movie phrases such as "Sweep the Leg" or "Finish him" when Josh, Timmay or Brett have two strikes on the hitter. The absence of Steevie and Skip's ongoing argument of who should take the cut off throw from left field the short stop or the the third baseman will be tough. I am still waiting for the right answer on that by the way boys. I will also miss Steevie's description of his grandslam from two seasons ago that was wiped clean due to the mercy rule. I will miss Magglio's (Yes there is a girl on the team that can throw and play better than most of the dudes in the league) mad skills whether it be at third base, as a pirate or a rapper. That's how she rolls. I will bring my glove in hopes that someone likes baseball as much as I do. Good luck this season Diablos.

Off to the SandBox

Okay,

I think I have figured out this blogging thing. It is now official. I will be heading to Iraq on Feburary 26 to serve for 365 days. I am experiencing a mix of feelings from extreme excitement to a bit of uneasiness at being gone and putting my life on hold for 12 months. I will be sad that I am missing two weddings, a Founders Day for my fraternity in Utah, a season of Diablos baseball, the scenic Seattle summer and of course PNW brew. Each and everyone of you who reads this inspires me in many ways that space does not allow me list them all.

It is my desire to protect what we have here at home, keep my family and friends safe and to prevent another September 11th from ever happening again on our soil. I know I do not see eye to eye with all my friends, politically, but at the end of the day it is about friendship and standing up for what is right. I know in my heart that this path is the right one for me. I am touched, humbled and blessed by the outpouring of support and encouragement from all of you. I look forward to sharing my adventures.