Covering the Bases...Keeping it real

2010-03-12T16:44:00.001-05:00

I visited what was a cold and wet Monticello today.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

2009-11-03T04:14:00.002-05:00

Well, I am here in the hole they call Iraq, it isn't much but it's home for now. We had a few stops, one of which was Sicily and I was able to see Mnt. Etna from a distance. This photo is one I found on the internet but it is very much the same angle and distance that I saw and photographed it from.

2009-10-25T14:36:00.001-04:00

I am heading to Iraq in a few hours...and I don't like it.

The Unforgettable Fire

2009-10-23T21:30:00.005-04:00

Ice, your only rivers run cold

City lights, they shine as silver and gold

Dug from the night, your eyes as black as coal.

Walk on by! walk on through!

Walk 'til you run, and don't look back

For here I am.

Carnival, the wheels fly and the colors spin

Through alcohol, red wine that punctures the skin

Face to face, in a dry and waterless place

Walk on by! walk on through!

So sad to besiege your love so head on

Stay this time! Stay tonight in a lie!

I'm only asking but I...I think you know

Come on take me away, come on take me away, come on take me home...

Home again

And if the mountain should crumble

Or disappear into the sea

Not a tear, no not I

Stay in this time! Stay tonight in...

Ever after, this love in time, and if you save your love!

Save it all

Don't push me too far

Tonight, tonight, tonight...

2009-10-22T20:45:00.002-04:00

U2 will be broadcasting live on Youtube from the Rose Bowl on the evening of Sunday the 25th of October. Click here for details.

2009-10-21T15:22:00.002-04:00

I was standing in line today at the Post Office and there was a woman in front of me who was talking on her cell phone the entire time and even while she was being helped at the counter. I found this to be very annoying and I said something to the woman at the counter about how rude it was and she quite agreed with me and said that she didn't even want to get started on that subject.
Technology is nice, I am not denying that, but lets not let it trample underfoot our manners. Social graces and basic etiquette have been lost on our society and in our day. Take the time, talk to someone....shake someones hand and say hello.

“Manners are of more importance than laws... Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe in.”

Edmund Burke

2009-10-19T01:23:00.001-04:00

I can't wait to go to college. Then again, I can't wait to do a lot of things.

2009-10-18T19:00:00.002-04:00

Bored at work.......

2009-10-17T14:59:00.002-04:00

My car after making the trip back from Vt.

2009-10-14T14:02:00.002-04:00

I went for a ride today and along the trail I saw this plant, I though it looked pretty cool so I photographed it.

The Splendid Splinter

2009-10-14T13:58:00.001-04:00

2009-10-11T19:53:00.001-04:00

Wow...way to let me down Boston sports teams........what a terrible day.

2009-10-01T11:02:00.002-04:00

2009-07-27T11:29:00.001-04:00

I love refund checks and days off.

I am in Iraq right now

2009-03-06T17:26:00.000-05:00

How old is your car?

2009-01-03T23:36:00.000-05:00

I saw this on Yahoo and it's rather interesting.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T18:52:00.001-05:00

2008-12-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

I was watching the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich (D), on the news this morning as he delivered a press conference and I couldn't get over his hair. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, after all it could be just bad morning hair, and Googled him. This man might have some serious state issues but I would say none more pressing than that hairdo.

67 years ago today.....

2008-12-07T14:35:00.001-05:00

Pearl Harbor Day.

It's Christmas (Baby Please Come home)

2008-12-07T14:34:00.001-05:00

21 years ago today.

Thomas Jefferson; Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Third President of the United States

2008-12-04T12:54:00.001-05:00

Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing, however slightly so it may appear to you. Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly. Encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise, as a limb of the body does, and that exercise will make them habitual. From the practice of the purest virtue, you may be assured you will derive the most sublime comforts in every moment of life, and in the moment of death.

(Source: Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Bergh, editor (Washington, DC: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Assoc., 1903), Vol. 5, pp. 82-83, in a letter to his nephew Peter Carr on August 19, 1785.)

Wallbuilders.com

2008-12-04T10:22:00.002-05:00

This is the link to the article with the video embedded of Obama supporters being asked random political questions about the elections and current politicians. The answers given to the reporter are at times downright frightening, the video is about 10 min. long.

11/29/2008 my day

2008-11-29T21:51:00.002-05:00

The lavish "Christmas Decor" at my barracks. I won't be writing home about it.A Colonial marching band at Williamsburg. The word on the street was that they had played in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade this year. I haven't verified it.

My inaugural batch of Chex mix while living in VA. Of course it wouldn't be me if I didn't screw it up somehow, I misheard the instructions and messed up the amount of ingredients resulting in one of the most salty snacks I've ever eaten.

And lastly, the lime Jello with miniature marshmallows

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

2008-11-29T09:17:00.002-05:00

One thing I'm thankful for......your tax $ at work. In a good way.

2008-11-27T21:45:00.002-05:00

In my barracks laundry rooms we have had old, broken and incredibly disgusting washing machines. In any of the 4 laundry rooms we have there are upwards of 10-12 machines in each and no more than 3 worked in any given room, making it difficult to wash clothes due to the number of people. Also, the insides were rusted and would stain whites and the "clean" laundry smelled horribly of urine.

Yesterday, huge trucks unloaded our brand new washers and they were installed within hours. When I washed my clothes this evening, I could smell the Tide detergent I had used. Arguably, one of the greatest smells ever.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T11:24:00.001-05:00

Vermont is Hot

2008-11-25T21:53:00.000-05:00

The next best thing

2008-11-23T20:53:00.000-05:00

William & Mary vs. University of Richmond football game

2008-11-23T20:36:00.004-05:00

It was very cold and the wind was blowing cold (as usual).

They had two skydivers descend during the National Anthem. One carrying the W&M banner.

The scoreboard with a minute to go in the game. Just before W&M tied it up.

They ensuing kickoff, the Tribe recovered the onside kick and marched down the field for a score.

Heading to OT.

The coin toss.

The next-to-last play, Richmond kicked a field goal and won, 23-20.

2008-11-21T10:44:00.002-05:00

My sister Jamin returned from a trip to Haiti a few weeks ago and has posted pictures and described some of her experiences there. I encourage anyone who would like to visit her blog and check it out.
http://www.jpthatswhatimtalkinabout.blogspot.com/

If anyone would like to donate here is the link.

http://www.purewaterfortheworld.org/welcome/

I'm Free from the Chain Gang Now

2008-11-19T11:19:00.001-05:00

Pedroia.......AL MVP!

2008-11-18T23:35:00.000-05:00

2008-11-17T11:18:00.002-05:00

As much as it annoys me, Burlington puts Vermont on the map again.

Liberals clinically mad, concludes top psychiatrist

2008-11-15T13:47:00.001-05:00

Eminent doctor makes case leftist ideology is a mental disorder

WORLDNETDAILY

2008-11-13T23:34:00.002-05:00

The American Humanist Assn. spent around $40,000 on holiday bus ads in Washington DC. that read; "Why Believe in a God......Just be Good for Goodness Sake"

On this day.....

2008-11-13T10:47:00.001-05:00

1850 - Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish author of such works as The Black Arrow, Treasure Island and Kidnapped was born.

Pictures from the Drudge Report that scare me.....

2008-11-13T10:37:00.001-05:00

VOTE!

2008-11-04T12:55:00.000-05:00

It's your right, exercise it!

Tsk*.....only in the Middle East

2008-10-18T17:26:00.000-04:00

World record sandwich? Iranians eat evidence

Manny Ramirez kills me

2008-10-16T19:42:00.001-04:00

“I just want to go home and spend some time with my family. I want to see who is the highest bidder. Gas is up and so am I.” Manny Ramirez, LF LAD.

On this day.....

2008-10-16T18:19:00.001-04:00

1859 - Abolitionist John Brown led a group in a raid on Harper's Ferry, intending to seize the arsenal of weapons and retreat to the Appalachian Mountains of Maryland and Virginia, where they would establish an abolitionist republic of liberated slaves and abolitionist whites. John Brown was later hanged in Virginia for treason.

The Far side

2008-10-14T00:02:00.000-04:00

"I don't care if it rains or freezes....."

2008-10-08T12:04:00.000-04:00

"...........long as I got, my plastic Jesus..........."

2008-10-08T10:31:00.001-04:00

"We lost to a team that is not better than us," John Lackey, L.A. Angels.

I'm getting a keyboard

2008-10-01T15:07:00.001-04:00

On my plate....

2008-10-01T14:00:00.003-04:00

I am currently the winning bidder on a 1859 edition of James Fenimore Cooper's novel; The Pilot.
1 hour 33 minutes left and I am the only bidder. $10 so far.

I recieved my absentee ballots today via e-mail. Now all I have to do is print and vote and mail.

My Oldie Favorites #2

2008-09-30T20:27:00.000-04:00

Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs- Stay

On this day.....

2008-09-30T20:17:00.002-04:00

1630 - John Billington, one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact, became the first criminal executed in the American colonies when he was hanged for murder at Plymouth.

1862 - "Stonewall" Jackson led the Confederates to victory at the second Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War.

1927 - Babe Ruth hit his 60th homer of the season to break his own major-league record.

1934 - Babe Ruth played his last game for the New York Yankees.

I read about this in a book and Googled it

2008-09-28T16:53:00.004-04:00

The site for the real-life Scarlett O'hara.

Think she looks like her?

2008-09-25T21:16:00.001-04:00

1 minute, 16 seconds

Worlds smallest man meets woman with longest legs

2008-09-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

He Pingping from Inner Mongolia, China's autonomous region, the world's smallest man sits underneath Svetlana Pankratova from Russia, the Queen of Longest Legs, as they pose at Trafalgar Square in London, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. Pingping, born with primordial dwarfism, holds the Guiness World Record for the smallest man at 74.61 cms (2 feet and 5.37 inches) and Pankratova holds the Guiness World Record for the longest leg of any woman at 132 cms (4 feet 4 inches) in length.(AP Photo/Sang Tan)

My Oldie Favorites #1

2008-09-05T19:34:00.000-04:00

Oh Thrift Store! Where have you been?

2008-08-29T21:28:00.003-04:00

I went shopping today at a couple of the countless thrift stores in the Norfolk area. Specifically looking for t-shirts, sweatshirts and cargo pants. I succeeded in finding a really cool duffel bag and a Monty Python shirt for the reasonable cost of about $7.
I also managed to run into a girl working at one of the stores that was born and raised in Bennington Vt. And another one who spent an extensive amount of time in Vt. The first girl was a Vt hater, I agreed with her on why she hated it, but not the hating part. Vt is way too beautiful to hate.

2008-08-26T19:08:00.002-04:00

So did anyone know that today was Women's Equality Day?
Just Wondering...............

2008-08-13T16:00:00.002-04:00

Lately, I have had a slight obsession with the Vermont Catamount's logo. This is the link to the school's athletic website were you can download or paste a really sweet wallpaper for you computer. http://www.uvm.edu/~sportspr/?Page=wallpaper.html

Cape Henry

2008-08-13T14:42:00.003-04:00

This is supposedly the area that the Jamestown settlers first landed at when they reached America. They later weighed anchor and moved some 60 miles northwest to the area that we now know as Jamestown.

This is a statue of Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse. Comte de Grasse was the admiral of the French fleet that was responsible for the defeat of the British navy at "The Battle of the Cape" which took place at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The victory made it possible for the American forces to hold their siege of Yorktown and caused General Cornwallis to capitulate.

I love sand dunes

Cape Henry and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.

My Dad was 2 years old.....

2008-07-26T07:48:00.001-04:00

Buddy Holly Live in New York With Peggy Sue 1959.

2008-07-26T01:37:00.001-04:00

Everyone needs to do their part and go vote!

http://espn.go.com/

Vote for Boston MA. on the Titletown USA link.

2008-07-24T16:33:00.001-04:00

Modern English

2008-07-20T21:11:00.000-04:00

My baking extravaganza

2008-07-19T20:23:00.002-04:00

Store-bought cookie dough

My sexy little toaster oven
open cookie dough

delicious cookies

Canon Rock

2008-07-19T12:06:00.002-04:00

As a guitar player, this blows my mind....

2008-06-28T07:55:00.003-04:00

Since my dear Mother has been complaining about me not posting I have resorted to trying to find some interesting things to blog about. This is something I make quite often. I don't have a name for it, but if I did it would probably be "Fried Potatoes".

I microwave a bunch of red potatoes for several minutes, just enough to take the crunch out of them. Meanwhile I fry a bunch of bacon. When the bacon is done I leave the grease in the pan and put the diced up potatoes in the pan and fry them with salt and pepper. When the potatoes are done I put them on a bed of shredded cheddar cheese and have some Newman's Own marinara sauce on the side. It's the best.

Charlie bit me!

2008-06-27T17:16:00.001-04:00

This is a video that I became familiar with a while back.

If you have seen it, I'm sorry, if not, enjoy.

The time has come

2008-06-27T17:12:00.001-04:00

It has finally come time for me to pick a side. And that side is Coco-cola.

On this day.....

2008-06-17T07:39:00.003-04:00

1314 - The forces of Scotland's King Robert I defeated the English in the Battle of Bannockburn.

This goes out to one of the greatest men that I know

2008-06-14T21:27:00.002-04:00

You have been a great Father and a roll model to myself, my siblings and to those around you. Your selfless dedication and work ethic have inspired me to attain the same.

On this Father's Day, I wish it to be the best it can be. I love you Dad.

On this day.....

2008-06-01T09:40:00.001-04:00

1813 - The Navy gained its motto as the mortally wounded commander of the frigate Chesapeake, Capt. James Lawrence, said, "Don't give up the ship."

2008-06-01T09:27:00.001-04:00

The Man
The Myth

The Legend

500 home runs. 24th all time.

2008-05-31T11:47:00.000-04:00

Wait until :10 or so.

Hello!

2008-05-25T08:55:00.002-04:00

It's been so long since I've posted. I am finding out that places like Facebook are like having a girlfriend while having a blog is more like being married. Blogger requires much more time and effort. All that aside, I have been doing well, just over 1/2 through a four day weekend that I didn't find out about until the last minute preventing me from making a trip home which would have most definitely have been in order. Va. is not a bad place though, the beach is an inviting place and everything is going well at work. I still have no idea when I might be going to Iraq but I don't think it will be too far off. From Norfolk.......

A Happy Birthday to Elisabeth!

2008-05-11T13:10:00.003-04:00

(that's her on the right)

2008-05-09T10:02:00.002-04:00

Just a little of the constant jet traffic over Nellis AFB. It is really awesome to see the American military might so up-close and loud.

Some of the last days here

2008-05-09T09:49:00.001-04:00

2008-04-26T10:31:00.003-04:00

This is a HH-60F coming in for a landing. I am on the firebottle (the green fire extinguisher)

2008-04-25T23:55:00.004-04:00

Recovering a bird, that's me under the guy's armpit running out of the rotor arc. I had just put the wheel chocks in.
Turning down the engines, we need to have a constant fire watch. That is what I'm doing on the left.
One of our birds
Me in the cockpit
A Nevada sunset.

2008-04-25T17:36:00.001-04:00

The Boys from Beantown are starting to slump a little.

The first look at Vegas and the plane ride there

2008-04-19T22:38:00.006-04:00

This is the area where we will be working for the next 3 weeks.

This is the view from my room.

This is part of the Grand Canyon, my first time ever seeing it.

The Rocky Mountains were one of the most fascinating things that I have ever seen in my life.

More of the Rockies.

2008-04-15T15:36:00.001-04:00

There was a bunch of us that went mountain biking the other day and we came to this jump and most everyone made it. Most everyone. It was funny.

A Happy Birthday to my Father.

2008-04-12T18:07:00.001-04:00

Well, the options were to throw myself on the mercy of a caffeine-free existence or buy a coffee maker

2008-04-05T20:34:00.003-04:00

So I bought a coffee maker.

2008-04-05T20:13:00.003-04:00

One of my favorites "....why don't you practice fallin' down, I'll be there in a minute."

My environment

2008-04-03T20:49:00.002-04:00

North from my balcony
South from my balcony
East from my balcony
A rather unique sunset
Finally a private bathroom

2008-04-02T11:23:00.005-04:00

CAN YOU FEEL THAT?!

2008-04-02T11:23:00.004-04:00

I have been on a real "Mommas and the Poppas" kick recently.

2008-04-01T22:08:00.002-04:00

Mom and Dad in front of an old brick oven
Mom and Dad in an Indian hut
A replica of one of the first three ships to come to Jamestowne
Mom and Dad studying a dugout canoe
And my personal favorite, I have always liked watching blacksmiths work.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

2008-03-24T18:16:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T14:59:00.000-04:00

My excursion to downtown Norfolk.

2008-03-22T20:17:00.005-04:00

Starting the day off right.

Sharks
Did it once, won't do it again.
A working model of an undersea robot.

Me (pretty sexy huh?)
Here I am in a old-time photo booth trying to look dated.
In a theatre.
Tada
My sweet skills
More of my sweet skills.
I loved this sculpture called "The Tourists"
Behind every Naval ship is a group of real men. The Marines.
This battleship fought in Desert Storm.
Me on the deck of the USS. Wisconsin
The USS. WisconsinGeneral MacArthur's automobile.
General MacArthur & Wife's tomb.
Gen. MacArthur
The MacArthur Memorial.
Gen. MacArthur's most recognizable effects
MacArthur's uniform
Congressional Medal of Honor
The signing of the surrender documents

The biggest calzone I've ever eaten.

2008-03-20T17:49:00.002-04:00

My faithful Jeep,I miss the good old days.

2008-03-20T15:21:00.001-04:00

Army Holds Annual 'Bring Your Daughter To War' Day

Life in Norfolk, keeps going on....

2008-03-19T20:12:00.003-04:00

I would have never thought that I would enjoy work more than my time off, however, that is not the case here. I have two new roomates and while they seem to be decent fellows I have absolulety no privacy whatsoever and hours of lying awake listening to crappy rap cell phone ring tones do nothing to comfort me. I am in the process of working out my housing allowance with the US. Government and will hopefully be able to have my own room and kitchen. That is basically all that has been going on.

Work has proven to be very stimulating and unique (how many people can say they work on helicopters for a living?) I enjoy it for the most part although I am not planning on making a career out of it. I am healthy and thriving in this very livable Va. climate. If anyone would like to visit I'd be more than happy to have company (depending on my schedule). For now. Andrew

2008-03-12T16:48:00.004-04:00

our good ol' President Bush, he is not afraid to make fun of himself.
http://www.citizensugar.com/1109830

I have a lot in common with this girl, right up until she turned 10.
check it out

On this day

2008-03-12T16:00:00.000-04:00

1894 - Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time.

Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot

2008-03-09T18:13:00.000-04:00

More Homer quotes

2008-03-09T18:05:00.003-04:00

I found tons of these in my quest..

Homer: "There's your giraffe, little girl."
Ralph Wiggum: "I'm a boy."
Homer:" That's the spirit. Never give up"

"Here's to alcohol, the cause of—and solution to—all life's problems."

"How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?"

"I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman."
Scully: "Homer, we're going to ask you a few simple yes or no questions. Do you understand?" Homer: "Yes." (lie dectector blows up)

Homer Simpson quotes

2008-03-09T14:24:00.005-04:00

(upon meeting aliens) "Please don't eat me! I have a wife and kids. Eat them!"

"I want to share something with you: The three little sentences that will get you through life. Number 1: Cover for me. Number 2: Oh, good idea, Boss! Number 3: It was like that when I got here."

"To Start Press Any Key'. Where's the ANY key?"

"Lisa, Vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins, and eskimos."

"What! There's money in the grease business?! In that case my veins are flowing with liquid gold!"

One thing that really annoys me...

2008-03-08T22:39:00.003-05:00

When I'm riding in a virtually empty bus and a new boarder has to pick the spot right next to me to sit down when there are numerous others seats that haven't been taken. Or am I the only one who rides the bus?

Yep, I'm the only one who rides the bus.

2008-03-08T10:30:00.001-05:00

Eco-friendly war

2008-03-06T16:05:00.001-05:00

In The Know: How Can We Make The War In Iraq More Eco-Friendly?