Checking out of the Marine Corp has put me in contact with, for the first time in years, one of the lowest and most despicable of military types; the admin pogue. The kind of guy who's job it is to sit behind a desk with paperwork all day. Im willing to bet he has plastered the back of his car with "Im a Marine!" stickers proclaiming how tough/brave/strong he is to the general public. The kind of person who has a dozen war stories about how he was in convoys behind a turret, or how he put up with daily mortar attacks that impacted 2 miles away in the gargantuan resort they call a forward operating base that he was stationed in.

Perhaps the latter isnt true about this particular guy. He is just a PFC. But that was what got to me. We had an appointment at 1300. I was there 15 minutes ahead of time. I had to wait till 1330 for him to stop chatting with his buddy. Half an hour. If I never had to wait half an hour for a private in my unit that guy would have gotten fucked up. When I was a private I was 30 seconds late. Once. And not really 30 seconds late, but 14 minutes and 30 seconds early instead of 15 minutes. I hated life for the rest of that day. I was made to rethink the whole leaving-through-the-birth-canal-alive thing because of those thirty seconds.

Id like to add that 1) I am on leave, 2) I had to drive 350 miles each way to attend this appointment and 3) I am the one taking care of my infant daughter and my wife had to stay home from work because of this.

I had to fight the urge to stick my pen into this guys neck. I spoke . very . slowly . while . I . composed . myself.

Then it took him 20 minutes to find my file. He checked everywhere, file cabinets, his desk, the copier inbox. He excused himself. He blamed central admin because they probably didnt send down my records. It was sitting on his desk amidst the rest of the folders of people he was seeing that day.

At least my wife and daughter were home and awake when I got back. They can always brighten my mood.

Current Location: Home
Current Mood: annoyed

I was driving through South Carolina recently. Flipping through radio stations I came across a few religious programs. Not much of a surprise in South Carolina. Started to listen to one guy all but call Obama the antichrist. After all the antichrist is someone who will come forward and deceive many people as to his intentions. He will make everything that is right into something that is wrong; like a stance against abortion and abstinence as the best policy for birth control, and will make everything that was wrong into something right; like gays marrying.

The guy might have a point. After all the prez is a black man who beat out an old white guy (a veteran no less) at an almost 2-1 ratio for the highest office in the nation. Something must be going on here. Something really really bad. Keep your eyes open for dragons and the such flying around Babylon.

His ramblings did strike a chord in me. Enough to get me to crack open a bible to check up on something. Something was off. Turns out that by the time the antichrist (lets just call him Obama from now on for clarity) comes about, the rapture has already occurred and the chosen have already been brought up to heaven. That means that the rest of us aren't the select, and have the 1000 year reign of Obama to look forward to. I guess the holy rollers who spout this shit aren't as holy as they think they are.

Current Location: Home with my ladies
Current Mood: amused
Current Music: CCR - Suzy Q

Neuters London-

US Military Destroys Egyptian Town in Coordinated Attack

The latest in US outrages against sovereign nations occurred earler this week. With no seeming provocation several elements of the US military attacked the otherwise peaceful Egyptian town of al-Hazmali. The extent of this military operation is still unknown. Sources close to the ground report seeing a multitude of US military equipment including tanks and fighter jets.

Al-Hazari is the site of the famous Pyramids at Giza, one of the ancient wonders of the world. Preliminary reports indicated severe and irrepairable damage has occurred at these historic sites as a result of this attack.

Colonel Ahmud Talmadi of the Egyptian Air Force states "We do not know where this unprovoked attack comes from. One minute things are peaceful, the next minute our airspace is being violated by several (fighter jets). Even worse, (the Americans) have employed the Jordanians to support them."

Tensions have been running high between Egypt and Jordan for the last month since a small detachment of Jordanian soldiers were caught stealing chickens from a local Egyptian vendor. The Egyptian government has since appealed to the United Nations for economic sanctions against Jordan.

Reports indicate that the attack included an amphibious landing on Egyptian soil. Almost a dozen M1A1 Abrams tanks and Light Armored Reconossance Vehicles deployed in support of US troops.

It is unknown at this time if this attack was a response to the sinking of the USS South Carolina, an aircraft carrier, earlier this week. Pentagon officials labelled the sinking the result of a terrorist attack. Over 7000 died in this incident.

A unnamed source with close ties to the White House commented "The strike was in response to an alien incursion by a group calling itself the 'Decepticons.' This group was looking for a power generator hidden in one of the pyramids which, if employed, would blot out the sun. The attack was necessary to defend the world from destruction."

A Cairo resident responded "Decepticons? Aliens? Next they will say my falafel cart holds weapons of mass destruction."

He was referring, of course, to the US government's claims to justify their war in Iraq. US credibility in the region is at an all time low.

1. Is there anyone on your friends list you would ever consider having sex with?
No. Sorry Petrov.

2. Sex in the morning, afternoon or night?
They're all good.

3. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
Right.

4. Do you masturbate?
Yes.

5. How often?
Once a day, sometimes more, sometimes less.

6. Have you ever taken your clothes off for money?
No.

7. Do you prefer showers or baths?
Baths.

8. Have you ever had sex in the shower or the bath?
Who hasn't?

9. Do you watch/read pornography?
Sure.

10. Do you want someone aggressive or passive in bed?
Aggressive. No more British women, thank you very much.

11. Do you love someone on your friends list?
No. Sorry Petrov.

12. Do you know all the people on your friends list?
Yes

13. Would you choose love or money?
Love.

14. Your top three favorite kinks in bed?
Hard to say.

15. Has anyone ever gone beyond your personal line of respect sexually?
No. But the line is less a line and more a rubber band.

16. Where is the most romantic place you have had sex?
Backseat of a pickup with a six pack. Seriously though, set up an apartment with low lights, massage oils and non-permanent markers.

17. Where is the weirdest place you have had sex?
A church.


18. Have you ever been caught having sex?
Yes.


19. Have you ever been to a strip club?
When its 50% of the economy in the town around me?

20. Ever been to a bar just to get sex?
Yes

21. Ever been kicked out of a bar or a club for sexual reasons?
No.

22. Ever been picked up in a bar?
Yes

23. Have you ever kissed or had sex with someone of the same sex?
No.

24. What's your sexuality?
Katrinosexual.

25. Had sex in a movie theater?
Amidst the sticky floors and popcorn butter?

26. Had sex in a bathroom?
Affirm

27. Have you ever had sex at work?
Yeah. Feel bad about it, though.

28. Have you ever been in an "adult" store?
Yes

29. Bought something from an adult store?
Yep

30. Do you own any sex toys?
Not anymore.

31. If yes, how many and what are they?
Hah! Get to dodge this question because the last question was closer to 'no'.

32. Does anyone have naughty pics of you or are you on film?
Unfortunately.

33. Have you ever had sex with someone and called them the wrong name?
Guilty.

34. Have you ever had phone sex?
No.

35. Have you ever had cyber sex?
Nope. What's the point?

36. Do you think oral sex constitutes as a form of intercourse?
Is that really a question? Of course it is.

37. What's your favorite sexual position?
Yes. As in all of them.

38. What's your favourite sex act?
I plead the fifth.

39. Have you ever had sex with more than one person at a time?
Yes

40. Who do you think has the guts to repost this?
Hopefully anyone.

Current Location: Afghanistan
Current Mood: bored
Current Music: Foo Fighters - Times Like These

Almost out of this shithole. So close I can smell the air back home. First thing I do when I get back on American soil will be to pucker up, get on my knees, and kiss the nasty tarmac the plane lands on. Couldn't tell you how many boots probably stepped on that spot, coming or going. Or how many airplane wheels have been over it. But it won't be here, or Iraq. Military service has given me a new appreciation for our country. No matter where you are, it's better than here.

I've always hated it when people talked about their kids. But seeing pictures of mine doing the cutest fucking things I have to say I understand. Can't wait to see her for the first time. For everything I have done, all of my fuckups and successes (the former far outweigh the latter), all seem irrelevant looking at her. I'm applying for my membership to the Father-Wrapped-Around-His-Daughters-Little-Finger club, because I know its going to happen. That and her mother is just about perfect for me. Like marrying my best friend.

Watching lots of movies. Been surprised at some of the one's I liked. And not so surprised at the amount of crap out there.

Current Location: Almost out
Current Music: Heart - Crazy on You (Virgin Suicides, is all I'll say)

Current Mood: happy

Young faces and ancient eyes. I see the edges of childhood wearing away around me. Kids aging far too quickly. The old ogre gnaws away inside my chest. I have become a shell called Duty.

He was too fucking young.

Just filed my request for terminal leave. This means that I'll use my remaining leave days to take off a month early from the day I end active service. Gave me a reason to reflect on the last 4 years. In the end its been worth it. For all the shit that comes with it, and for all the shit I've been through, I have no regrets. So much so that I was thinking of reenlisting. If I had, it would have been in counterintelligence. But having a wife and a kid on the way, a wife who I don't want to divorce me and a kid I want to know, changes those plans a bit.

It's allowed me to see parts of the world I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Two shithole third world countries whose governments we toppled aside, there was France, Greece, Djibouti, Bahrain, the UAE and Spain. I got to experience some things most people don't and have gotten to learn more about myself in the process. I've learned skills most people outside of rabid survivalists (hi Petrov) learn. All of this has given me a new perspective. As bad as our country can get, its a lot worse in a lot of places in the world. We are the lucky ones. Our problems pale in comparison to the problems most of the species live with on a daily basis. This life is defended by our military. Specifically by a group of (mostly) men who put everything they have on the line for very little in return. I can't think of anything finer that I have done with my life, by far. Almost worth another 16 years of my life.

And I have no doubt it's necessary. Our country is an empire; walks, talks and acts like an empire. Our presence in other places is the extension of an imperialistic policy. On the other hand there are people who are planning the destruction of our way of life. Around the world, in shitty, depressed third world countries people are preparing and have standing orders to assimilate into a society and wait for the time to attack. The bombing of our embassies in Africa, the Khyber towers, and even 9/11 followed that pattern. Vicious cycle between the two. But the only way to break that cycle isn't to quit.

Current Location: The Zad
Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: Bloodhound Gang

Yesterday turned from just another day to one where I might have started the conversion of a Baptist. Most people are only lukewarm in their faith and having discussions with them is like shooting fish in barrels. Baptists are usually more difficult to speak to because they are usually convinced of their righteousness. Seriously, any group that believes that the Roman Catholic Church is a tool of the Antichrist has to have a strong agenda. You just don't make a claim like that without a really good reason. Not that the point can't be made, however. Sorry dad.


Started with the problem of evil (God is omnipotent and omniscient and interested in justice so why is there so much suffering?). He had some stock answers - humans being granted free will is an answer I get a lot. But it turns out that a lot of the questions I was asking involve doubts that he has had already. Smart kid. At least he uses reason, so I know he wasn't a total loss. Eventually came down to him not being able to answer questions posed to him. Having him admit to there being a possible logical fallicy in his beliefs is a step, I believe, in the right direction. I *almost* got him to admit that his beliefs justified abortions. I had to stop there.

The one thing I'll say; his faith has given him perspective. He is one of the more stable individuals I know. I think his beliefs give him something to stand on, a framework to understand the world. Its not a bad framework mostly, until he started in on why Africans and people in the middle east were a damned people (offspring of Ham and Cain respectively). Couldn't let that one go.

Anything to break up the monotony till I can return home, back to the only woman who ever really understood me and to our new addition. Can't wait to hold my daughter for the first time. Its strange but nothing seems important compared to that.

Je'Taime GP.

Current Location: 152 days to EAS
Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Creedance Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising

My own reactions surprise me sometimes. Even after everything I didn't expect to act so calmly moments after watching two guys get reduced to parts. One moment, they are two engineers/minesweepers cracking jokes on our patrol. The next they're scattered over 100 meters or so. I knew one of them, the other one was too new. Picking up parts was a different experience. Their blood still darkens my gloves. I have no intention of replacing those. Everytime I leave the wire a part of them, literally and figurativly, goes with me. To give up now, to simply leave, would dishonor the memory of these two men - and the memory of the others who died here. The ground is stained by the blood of these heroes, making it sacred.

A very human solution to this conflict would be to simply kill most if not all of the people here. Anyone who doubts genocide is a part of human behavior is ignorant of history. The concept that this is wrong, that it somehow should be avoided, is a new one. It's also a concept we believe in. This makes our job difficult. Especially since these bastards have no problem using their children as human shields when they shoot at us.

Here's a question of ethics. If we drop a bomb on a mortar position, one firing at us at the time, and a dozen children were put there so that we wouldn't fire on them for fear of innocent casualties, who is at fault for their deaths?

Anyway, this is the first year when I'll have to declare more than 100,000 on my income tax return. Suddenly I have an opinion on the capital gains tax.

Current Location: Backwater part of a third world shithole
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Grateful Dead - Friend of the Devil