Driving

Evidently Louisville drivers don't appreciate it when you get in front of them to pass a slower semi-truck. They also don't seem to appreciate when you play an imaginary violin with an imaginary sad-sad song while they are hurling insults at you.

Long Time, No Post

Greetings my readers of 3(including myself). Not much going on here at home, but a bit at work. Gearing up for all you happy holiday travelers to ensure you get there and back safely. Don't thank me, your government thanks me every two weeks.
Here is a great link if you are not a hypersensitive religious puke with nothing to do but ponder your effing creation. Oh, and you might need a sense of humor.
In other news, I passed my 16 hour exam in just under 8 hours. Watch out DFB, you're on my 22/04 approach now, bitch. No whining either, you are being recorded.
I'd type more, but I have to go make a pilot.

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Sun Music

Have you ever heard the sun?

Veteran's Day

I start this Veteran's Day tomorrow with a heavy heart. Veteran's Day began after WWII to remember our fallen soldiers and veterans from the war. Now, it's about all vets, and some say not just those in the U.S.

One of our most recent soldier’s deaths made the news at CNN: Army Sergeant Willsun Mock, a 23 year old man from Kansas. I didn’t know this man, but he was obviously a patriot and a true American. Many might not agree with the Iraq war. Nevertheless, I will never quit supporting these brave men and women. Their value to this country is greater than anything many others including myself have ever given. Following are some quotes from this great warrior. The full article can be read here.

"I think not only me has changed, I think that everybody that was there, enemy, friendly, everybody walked away changed."

"Nobody wants to die out here even though the soldiers would for our country. Any of them would -- that's not a question."

"’It would break my heart to see one of my brothers in the military serving in a place like this,’ he said when asked why he would stay in the military. ‘I would much rather myself suffer than one of them, and they have kids to think about, and I'm a little young for that right now. And it's good serving with the men; it's good serving for this great nation.’”

"Every time we lose soldiers and we have our ceremonies here for the fallen comrades and they play the taps for those men -- that's probably the moments that will stay in my mind more than ever."

I stand in the shadow of them all. SGT Mock, and all of them over here and abroad, is a giant to the rest of us. There is nothing greater, and I am humbled everyday by their deeds and sacrifice. I can’t complain about my life, not ever, in the 28 years that I have been so lucky to have. Many of those from World War I to our current situation in Iraq, never got that much.

Remember our vets tomorrow. From the iron men, wooden ships, and cloth airplanes of World War II and before, to the rock-solid men and women now serving our great nation. Never forget them.

Semper Paratus,

A humbled sailor from the United States Coast Guard

Space Needle Pix

Some came out a little blurry cause I had to tweak the camera a bit to get anything good.

Jet-lag again

Made it home. Had some delay at O'Hare, but what can you expect. If things worked out the way you planned it, well, this wouldn't be life.

Travel tip of the year:

Sit down to pee while in flight.

AVT3

Space Needle

Well, I was going to upload some pix that I took while on top of the Space Needle, but I forgot the cable so this won't be as exciting. Did manage to celebrate Halloween-naked. Ok, j/k. Really, I am driving a pumpkin-mobile. I asked for a Sebring, was told I was getting one, then I got an orange chevy compact HHR. I think someone thought I was a pygmy. But, it's all good cause I'm too ugly to pick up chix and it was the week of Halloween.
I just completed a bit of PT on some poor excuse for exercise equipment. What can you expect? Most people are at the hotel happy hour sucking down free drinks. Oh well, make it a light week and I don't miss the eating all day long to catch up on protein loads. Sometimes you just have to be a fat, outta shape American.
It's absolutely beautiful out here and the weather ain't too bad either. Mt. Rainier is just over the horizon and although I don't have alot of time, It's still a great view. That's about it. School makes me realize I'm not as smart as I thought I am. I can keep up with the course, but I have a lot of work ahead of me. A lot. Such is life. Catch ya'll later.

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Jet-lag

Made it to Seattle. Got upgraded to first-class cause they didn't have any more seats. *sigh* It was horrible, lemme tell you. We flew over the Rockies which was pretty cool. Long flight, though. I'll post some pix as I get 'em.

My layover was in O'Hare. Luckily, J.P. went there too, so I got him to buy me some chow (He gets to see Unca Dubya over in D.C.). I like airports just cause of the diverse people you get to see. We definitely aren't all the typical Tri-Stater we sometimes think we are. I'm glad I travel like I do. I think if I didn't, I wouldn't appreciate all the different people and different backgrounds. I fear getting the tunnel vision that some other folks get cause they just don't realize who and what else is out there.

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Seattle

Woo hoo! A break from work. I get to go to Seattle this coming week. Ok, not necessarily a vacation, but at least they can't call me in!

Guardian

Well, Hollywood did their best to portray the CG. Not a bad film. I give it a B+.

T-minus 5 days

Who wants to dress in full flight gear to go see this??

View from the Top

Well, there it is, ladies and gents. All this just to change a light bulb. Only 250 feet in the air and not a bad view. Actually, this tower was more stable than the usual 100 footers.

Jarheads

So I met a Marine who served on a Coast Guard cutter. He even bought me some beers. He even knew Coast Guard history so I spat out some Jarhead Hx. I guess some Marines have their shit together. Semper Fi.

TK

Papa Charlie

So my friend and co-worker Papa-Charlie is gonna start his own blog. You might think that is not a big deal, but for an 84 year old World War II vet, getting online and telling the world about his great experiences is a deal indeed. What a great honor it is to serve with such a person. So, I guess I will help him get aquainted with the blog and turn him loose.
As for the Ohio River, it seems that the boaters are still willing to have a good time. Lotsa beer and lotsa rednecks. Timmy stayed Sat night and lost his shoes and digital cam. So all we heard all day was him bitching about how miserable he was cause of life and his hangover. Not to mention the rain early Sun morning. Guess I should have been easier on him, but I told the girl he was spittin' game to he had herpes. Well, he doesn't need to reproduce anymore.
As for me, I wanted to take tomorrow off, but its crunch time for this job and the public won't wait. I did manage to drink a number of beers, quantity I can't remember, and forget about this coming week.
Might get to climb 210 feet this week or next to change a few light bulbs. Should be fun, I might try to get some rappelling gear and go up and down a few times.
Everyone else, have a good week and DFB, keep it out of your ass.

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A Great Airstation

CGAS Airsta N'awlins.

Chicken

Funny.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Coast Guard. I had many beers and a shot of Crown for the CG's 216th birthday. I know many coasties here and abroad did the same.
In other news, Nitric Oxide really does work, and it kicks ass.
Check out a rockin' band here.
Automotive maintenance tip of the week: change your transmission fluid for a much smoother ride.
DFB is secretly gay!!

Tango Kilo

Jackass

This is some funny shit.

Ducks

Guess they are gonna make a movie about some ducks. www.guardianmovie.com


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St. Louis

Well, another vacation over with, another weekend to drink beer. Back to normal for awhile. Maybe I'll stop off in a few towns or something. Scott AFB is pretty nice. Makes a sailor miss the military. I did manage to pick up a case of Military Special if anyone wants to try some. I used to hang from helos, now I hang from towers. I might look into some climbing equipment. Just something to keep me up to par. Think I might go down to the hottub for a bit before knocking off.

AVT3