Thursday, July 30, 2009

Day 188 - Glow Balls in the Night

Get your mind out of the gutter folks!!!

So what happens when you have a bunch of people, bored, and sitting in the dessert at night with a bunch of golf balls, clubs and chem lights. Yeah, the guy in the back laughing has already guessed it. You get a nighttime driving range. Imagine with me, I am walking over to where a friend hangs out at night. On the way there I pass within 100 feet of some shadows in the night, talking, laughing, and I see two glowy objects. Thinking to myself "What a bunch of weirdos." I walk over to the area where my friend would be to find it empty. Putting two and two together, the weirdos are mine. *Shoulders sink while head shakes* I go back and sure enough they are all out there taking turns driving glowy golf balls into the bleak darkness beyond. Of course I had to join in. What? I did say they were my weirdos.

I know its been a bit since I wrote anything. I am ok out here. Looking to the future. They have me busier than before. Also I'll admit, my time has been occupied by a new person in my life. I met a woman back in Orlando while dealing with the divorce. Lori has been a great addition to my life since. To be honest, she is filling some voids that were left by my ex. Obviously with me being over here we have a lot of time to learn about each other. We had a lot of fun while I was there and I hope to have more fun in the future.

I am planning a vacation in about three months. If all goes well I will be hanging out with my old friend Ryan down under. I have three months till then and I will have only two left when I return. That's right folks, I am on the end stretch. I have been here in this god forsaken desert for just over six months. Six more to go. Thanks for all the support and I cant wait to see everyone when I am done here.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Day 169 - New Beginings

So I am back in Iraq. Back to Camp Korean Village. Yet, it is different! After six days of zombiefying travel I am home. Yeah weird huh? I said it, Home. This sad, desolate, sandy, waste of a place on planet Earth is now the only home I have left! Don't get me wrong I am not complaining, just sharing the realization with everyone.



Since I landed it has been a busy time here at Camp KV. (I always feel I am writing home from Summer Camp when I say that!) The Marine base that I am on is converting to an Army one. What's that mean? Well, the Marines have some butt to kick in Afgan and the Army is better at cleaning up after them. So the color of uniforms goes from Brown camo to Green. For me, I actually have work to do. New Servers, new network, I am excited. I have worked more in the last week then I have in months. And we are just getting started!!!



Other things... Started working out. I have the best personal trainer anyone could want or fear, THE MARINE CORP! How do I describe, oh wait, OUCH! It will be worth it. Heck it already is, I was 228 before I went on vacation. I'm down to 214. I am eating better, running every other day and working on my upper body strength. Look out Hulk!!!



I updated my flickr account with some pictures from the trip. Some of the fun I had, some of friends old and new. Some of my new Tattoo!! I never thought I would go for a Star Wars Tattoo. With the advice, comments, and suggestions from tattoo artists and friends it all came together into a wonderful piece of Art. I am very pleased with how it turned out. Thanks Dave from Inkredible Ink. It took two hours. It says Never Tell Me The Odds.

I know people are worried about me. Divorce isn't the easiest thing to deal with in life. I will make it through this. I wont lie, there are moments that it affects me. Anyone that knows me understands I am emotional. I have a big heart and its been hurt. It's been hurt before, it healed then and it will now. I would be disappointed in myself if I didn't have moments of pain as I move on from this. Right now I have nothing but opportunity in front of me. Looking behind me is painful, but it wont always be. For now, time to run full steam ahead!

The world is changing as it always does. Choices we make determine who we are. Choices others make for us determine nothing. They cause our world to shift. They cannot make do anything more than we want to do. Life is a string of choices. I'm not worried about living with the choices of others, I only have to worry about the ones I make. I chose to Live Life and be happy. Life is to short to let the world drag you down.

Somebody do me a favor...scratch that, everyone do me a favor! Go outside and smell a flower, fresh cut grass, or the perfume of a woman walking by! Now think of how life would be without those smells. The world has many treasures. Enjoy them, most are free.