A day 33 years in the making.
My Birthday is done now. I had a lot of fun. I was privileged enough to see friends, play Star Wars, go to Chucky Cheese, be on a podcast, and even Slay the Dragon! My phone rang off the hook and my facebook page was filled with B-day wishes. For me it was just another passing second of life. I don't feel a year older, granted I got to ease into it one day at a time.
Thank you to all who contacted me, came to see me, and to Chris and Krista Witt who gave me a cake on fire!
PS, the Grey Hair in the Beard is not from getting older, I blame my Ex-Wife!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May The Fourth Be With You!!!
Just a short note. Today is May fourth and I wanted to wish everyone "May The Fourth Be With You!"
Yes, I'm a Geek. Just remember I'm an Executive Geek!
Chris
Yes, I'm a Geek. Just remember I'm an Executive Geek!
Chris
Monday, May 3, 2010
Snow, Drool, and Rock and Roll!!!
So one might ask, "What does one do when visiting Anchorage, Alaska?"
There is the obvious, visiting friends and family. Is that it, hi, how are you, nice to see you good bye? Well first off, I am gaining weight. Everyone wants to meet for lunch or diner. Alaska meals are about one and a half the size of meals down south. Good food, just lots of it. It has been great to see some old friends, mentors, and coworkers. Family is always nice to see and spend time with. The Baker boys have multiplied to three since I left and are just wonderful. Three very well behaved boys.
So what else have I done to occupy my time here? Well the most painful was snowboarding down the mountains at Alyeska. Painful in the out of shape sense, not the I fell down a lot sense. I may have fallen down but that's a different story. It was fun, and I did better than I thought I would. It's only been ten years since I was last on a snowboard.
There is the obvious, visiting friends and family. Is that it, hi, how are you, nice to see you good bye? Well first off, I am gaining weight. Everyone wants to meet for lunch or diner. Alaska meals are about one and a half the size of meals down south. Good food, just lots of it. It has been great to see some old friends, mentors, and coworkers. Family is always nice to see and spend time with. The Baker boys have multiplied to three since I left and are just wonderful. Three very well behaved boys.
So what else have I done to occupy my time here? Well the most painful was snowboarding down the mountains at Alyeska. Painful in the out of shape sense, not the I fell down a lot sense. I may have fallen down but that's a different story. It was fun, and I did better than I thought I would. It's only been ten years since I was last on a snowboard.
An old friend treated me to tickets to see a band that he works with out of LA called Paperback Hero. Great sound and awesome stage presence. If you get a chance look them up on Myspace. Their sound fits right into the mainstream of pop/rock right now. I was impressed enough to buy their album if that says anything. I don't buy that many.
While out at Alyeska I got to watch snowmachiners go wild on the ski slope. Races, jumps, and all around fun was being had by all. I met a guy named Big Wayne and couldn't help but smile. The guy is very funny. Thing a giant version of the mad hatter. I got to eat pizza at Chair 5 (great place) and had some beer named "Moose Drool." I was afraid to ask what they called the Amber. I hung out with Ryan and the Baker Boys at the pool and diner. Then some friends came down to join me while partying on the slope, Aurora and Tiffany. Aurora and I danced the night away. Tiffany ran around and swatted people with her riding crop. Don't ask, unless you really want to know details.
I have gone to all my old stomping grounds, restaurants, hangout spots. I've see friends that time has eroded the relationship. It is a shame, seeing them I am right back to where I was. Alas, they are too busy or to distant to pickup where we left off. I cant blame them. I have been gone awhile. 10 years is along time to be away from a place. A blink of an eye for some and an eternity for others. For me its a bit of both. I can only hope I don't take so long to come back again.
Next stop: Dallas!!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Walking Down Memory Lane
For those that don't know I am in Anchorage, Alaska right now. There is still snow in the mountains. My grandparents are still up here and doing well for themselves. It has been nice being here and remembering so much. Friends and family are treasures we sometimes lose, only to be found again when our luck is right.
Very few know of a sacred place called "B"ville. Up in the mountains that surround Anchorage, it sits on the back of FlatTop along a steep and twisty road. It actually is the road. You see B-ville is just a wide spot in the road that no one lives around. Back in a younger age I was introduced to this place by Brandan Narrell. Hence the name B-ville. Brandan, Jim, and I spent many a night up there. Sometimes we brought a truckload of pallets to burn in the bonfire, other times we just sat in the dark cold night. On rare occasion, we had others with us. Just a great place to watch the stars, the moon, and the most amazing view of the bowl of Anchorage. At night all the lights of Anchorage sparkle like stars in the sky. On a moonlit night like tonight you can see the surrounding mountains covered in snow.
Tonight I ventured up that old road to see if I still knew the way. Some places you never forget how to reach. I sat alone since Brandan and Jim are elsewhere. I couldn't help but smile as I looked around. The air was cold, I even saw my breath. Yet my heart and soul where warm. I closed my eyes and could see all the friends that had joined me there in the past.
So far Anchorage has been a great stop in my tour of things. It has been 9 and a half years since I left here. Things have changed yet stayed the same. Some people I have been able to track down, others I have lost touch with and can't find them where I left them. A few I wish I could track down. It is amazing how much you can miss someone. All and all though, I am having a great time.
I even got a special treat at the local museum where they hosted the Science of Star Wars exhibit. I took lots of pictures and had a wonderful time with three of my cousins and my grandad. It seems where ever I go I am not that far from a galaxy far, far away.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Closing out a Chapter and Opening a New One!
So the trek back was long. I have been awake with minor naps for the last 60+ hours. Lots of caffeine and thank god I finally got a shower.
When I last told you about my adventure back I was sitting in the Holding tank they call Ali Al Salem. I arrived last Tuesday and had a wonderful time sitting around waiting for the opportunity to process out. I was able to go turn in most of the gear they issued. No more bullet proof vest, helmet, etc, etc. They would not let us turn in our gas mask yet. That had to be turned into the CRC facility back in Georgia.
Finally Saturday morning came, really early too. 0300 (3 am for you civvies) I got up and showered. I gathered all my belongings and brought them to the staging area. Then began the wonderful process of customs. For security reasons I'm going to generalize and exaggerate simple because I can. I now understand what cattle feel like. I wonder if in the end they actually look forward to the bolt gun to the head. Our stuff was x-rayed, dumped out, searched, loaded up and locked away. We got put into a secure area to wait for the next bus ride to the plane. 12 hours later we finally got on a bus. Ever so often they would do a role call to make sure they haven't lost some poor soldier. A bumpy bus ride later, and a hot one at that, we arrived at the holding tank to wait for our plane. One poor troop almost lost it on the ride out. The combination of the heat, cramped seats, and the swaying of the bus got to him a bit.
The plane boss, the plane. We get on a 777. (I believe) No First class, :( Oh well. I slept a little on the first leg of the journey as we headed to Germany. We get there and I am back in the holding tank I saw on the way to Iraq last time. A few changes and actually bought some chocolate. Joy! Back on the plane and we head to that wonderful place in Bangor, Maine! I have to give them credit, we show up at the wee hours and the locals are there to thank the troops for their service. A short wait there while the plane refuels and we are on our way to Atlanta. Almost home, right?!? Nope. Another bus. Remember that gas mask they wouldn't take in Kuwait? Yeah, that one. We have to go turn it in. We ride this bus to Ft Benning. Some 97 miles away.
I'll say this, for being Easter Sunday, these people didn't slack. They had a welcoming ceremony for the troops and thanked us all. The fed us and got us moving to turn in our last few things. After that is finished we get gather in smaller groups and rent a shuttle back to Atlanta. On the road again! I reach the airport and have my flight adjusted to the next one leaving. $210 later my luggage gets to join me. At least my company paid for the flight. While I waited for my flight I stopped at a restaurant for some amazing nachos and a double Jack and Coke. It is amazing how much you can savor something you haven't had in six months.
2000 hours (8pm) I arrive in Orlando. Only 48 hours from the time I woke up to start this adventure.
Sean, Diana, Bob, Sue, and Greg all met me at the airport. Thank goodness too cause we needed all the vehicles to get my luggage home. I only had 4 things but one was a rather large trunk. We all headed over to Sean's and visited while I enjoyed a tall glass of Captain Morgan's Tattoo Rum and coke. Bliss!
One would think that I would go crawl into a bed and hibernate for a bit. Nope. A shower later and some checking of the interwebs and I was off to go watch the final night shuttle launch. I drove out to Titusville. I stopped at a Waffle House and devoured a pecan waffle and some eggs. I found a parking spot at Space Launch Park right on the water. At 3am the crowds were already massing. I found a bench and waited. Since I had spent the better part of the last two days doing this exact thing, I had become quite the master of it. (I dosed in and out till 6am) We all watched and waited until the moment you saw the puff of smoke. A bright light later and it began streaking upwards. The light was intense. I wanted to close my eyes to shield them but could not because I didn't want to miss a thing. I had my camera on movie mode and did the best I could to record it without missing it while running the camera. After what seemed like minutes we finally heard it. It was almost gone and the shock wave finally reached us. Car Alarms behind us went off as the crowd Oood and Awed. Two bright red lights could be seen as the boosters broke off. We all watched as the light darted across the sky and disappeared. An almost angelic wake formed around the light in the last few moments.
While waiting for that bus in Kuwait, I watched my final Kuwaity sunset. (I hope) After the shuttle launched I waited around and saw the US sunrise. It was picturesque. There was a sailboat in the water and the launchpad off in the distance. The sun took its time to creep over some low hanging clouds. I took several pictures, granted they will never do it justice. The vapor left behind from the launch formed a Dragon in the sky breathing fire. Just when you think wow, this is truly amazing, a school of dolphins came by as well. I cant make this stuff up people.
Coming back from Iraq I close another chapter in my life. The page ends with a sunset over brown and sand. The next chapter begins with freedom, flight, and a bright glow of the future. The rising sun greeted me today, I took it in as the marvel it is.
Did you?
When I last told you about my adventure back I was sitting in the Holding tank they call Ali Al Salem. I arrived last Tuesday and had a wonderful time sitting around waiting for the opportunity to process out. I was able to go turn in most of the gear they issued. No more bullet proof vest, helmet, etc, etc. They would not let us turn in our gas mask yet. That had to be turned into the CRC facility back in Georgia.
Finally Saturday morning came, really early too. 0300 (3 am for you civvies) I got up and showered. I gathered all my belongings and brought them to the staging area. Then began the wonderful process of customs. For security reasons I'm going to generalize and exaggerate simple because I can. I now understand what cattle feel like. I wonder if in the end they actually look forward to the bolt gun to the head. Our stuff was x-rayed, dumped out, searched, loaded up and locked away. We got put into a secure area to wait for the next bus ride to the plane. 12 hours later we finally got on a bus. Ever so often they would do a role call to make sure they haven't lost some poor soldier. A bumpy bus ride later, and a hot one at that, we arrived at the holding tank to wait for our plane. One poor troop almost lost it on the ride out. The combination of the heat, cramped seats, and the swaying of the bus got to him a bit.
The plane boss, the plane. We get on a 777. (I believe) No First class, :( Oh well. I slept a little on the first leg of the journey as we headed to Germany. We get there and I am back in the holding tank I saw on the way to Iraq last time. A few changes and actually bought some chocolate. Joy! Back on the plane and we head to that wonderful place in Bangor, Maine! I have to give them credit, we show up at the wee hours and the locals are there to thank the troops for their service. A short wait there while the plane refuels and we are on our way to Atlanta. Almost home, right?!? Nope. Another bus. Remember that gas mask they wouldn't take in Kuwait? Yeah, that one. We have to go turn it in. We ride this bus to Ft Benning. Some 97 miles away.
I'll say this, for being Easter Sunday, these people didn't slack. They had a welcoming ceremony for the troops and thanked us all. The fed us and got us moving to turn in our last few things. After that is finished we get gather in smaller groups and rent a shuttle back to Atlanta. On the road again! I reach the airport and have my flight adjusted to the next one leaving. $210 later my luggage gets to join me. At least my company paid for the flight. While I waited for my flight I stopped at a restaurant for some amazing nachos and a double Jack and Coke. It is amazing how much you can savor something you haven't had in six months.
2000 hours (8pm) I arrive in Orlando. Only 48 hours from the time I woke up to start this adventure.
Sean, Diana, Bob, Sue, and Greg all met me at the airport. Thank goodness too cause we needed all the vehicles to get my luggage home. I only had 4 things but one was a rather large trunk. We all headed over to Sean's and visited while I enjoyed a tall glass of Captain Morgan's Tattoo Rum and coke. Bliss!
One would think that I would go crawl into a bed and hibernate for a bit. Nope. A shower later and some checking of the interwebs and I was off to go watch the final night shuttle launch. I drove out to Titusville. I stopped at a Waffle House and devoured a pecan waffle and some eggs. I found a parking spot at Space Launch Park right on the water. At 3am the crowds were already massing. I found a bench and waited. Since I had spent the better part of the last two days doing this exact thing, I had become quite the master of it. (I dosed in and out till 6am) We all watched and waited until the moment you saw the puff of smoke. A bright light later and it began streaking upwards. The light was intense. I wanted to close my eyes to shield them but could not because I didn't want to miss a thing. I had my camera on movie mode and did the best I could to record it without missing it while running the camera. After what seemed like minutes we finally heard it. It was almost gone and the shock wave finally reached us. Car Alarms behind us went off as the crowd Oood and Awed. Two bright red lights could be seen as the boosters broke off. We all watched as the light darted across the sky and disappeared. An almost angelic wake formed around the light in the last few moments.
While waiting for that bus in Kuwait, I watched my final Kuwaity sunset. (I hope) After the shuttle launched I waited around and saw the US sunrise. It was picturesque. There was a sailboat in the water and the launchpad off in the distance. The sun took its time to creep over some low hanging clouds. I took several pictures, granted they will never do it justice. The vapor left behind from the launch formed a Dragon in the sky breathing fire. Just when you think wow, this is truly amazing, a school of dolphins came by as well. I cant make this stuff up people.
Coming back from Iraq I close another chapter in my life. The page ends with a sunset over brown and sand. The next chapter begins with freedom, flight, and a bright glow of the future. The rising sun greeted me today, I took it in as the marvel it is.
Did you?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Day 436 - Home as Home can be for now.
I'm back! At the time of writing this I have been up for roughly 52 hours straight.
I'll keep it simple for now and elaborate about it later. I'm at Sean's house now. Thinking about catching the shuttle launch tomorrow. If I can wake up by then. I may go into hibernation for a few days to recuperate.
It is great to be back in the States. AND IT IS GREEN!!! Joy!
Chris
I'll keep it simple for now and elaborate about it later. I'm at Sean's house now. Thinking about catching the shuttle launch tomorrow. If I can wake up by then. I may go into hibernation for a few days to recuperate.
It is great to be back in the States. AND IT IS GREEN!!! Joy!
Chris
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April Fools!!
Heading back in, are you kidding me!!!! The food isn't that good! I didn't have a change of heart, nor did I call my boss and get my old job back. I am still in Kuwait waiting my flight back to the states. Do you really think I would head back in without a little vacation at least?
See everyone real soon!
See everyone real soon!
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