Some Day's Are Just Rough

I haven't been around a lot lately. Trust me, I would rather be here. I don't talk about work a lot here. There is a very good reason for that. I know all about consequences, and I have to weigh those before I open my mouth. Having said that, with work making up about 90% of my waking hours as of late, I think it is safe to say, I don't have a whole lot else to talk about.

I love my job when you get right down to it. My job hasn't been my favorite lately, but all things run their course, and I know that recent troubles will as well. I have had some set backs with a certain co-worker, some real ups with another, and a lot of additional stress with a new account. This too, will pass, all will smooth out, and things will be good again. I know this with certainty because everyone I work with is a good person, and cares very much about what they do, and about each other.

I am exhausted, I am fed up, and my husband is probably really sick of hearing about it. I hope he is saying the same thing I just did about all things run their course...

I would go into more detail, as I know I would feel better, but I will have to refer you to the opening paragraph where I mention consequences. You see, everyone I work with is literate, and I am sure they can navigate the web with ease. Not only that, but even though I have some real doosies I could tell, they don't represent the whole experience, just the parts that are working my last nerve. It is best to just keep venting on the husband. Sorry honey. Hang in there.

I will be back, and I will be writing again, and if the rest of the world knows what's good for them, it will happen soon.

What's New?

To learn the proper etiquette (according to my sister and I) for burning the American flag, click on the button below.

It is our latest design, and my eternal gratitude to Captain Dramatics's Aunt Toe-mi (that is what CD called her when he wasn't really good at saying her name), who called me from work and wanted to see this on a shirt.

Remember, if you like a design, and want it on a different shirt let me know!

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Randy Thorsvig

Ken Leonard (On The Right)
From High Point, North Carolina

Every once in a while you run across one of those "feel good stories". Those stories that show us just what a person can do when they really want it bad enough. And Ken Leonard has one of those stories.

In 2005, Ken Leonard left his job as a police officer in High Point, North Carolina to go to Iraq to work with a private security firm. In December of that year, Ken, along with five other men in his vehicle and six others in the vehicle behind him, was hit by a roadside bomb outside of Baghdad. "After the bomb went off, I knew exactly what had happened," Leonard recalled. "My feet got jarred, so I knew they were hit." While others in his vehicle were injured, he had received the worst of it. He had lost both his feet.

The vehicle behind them pushed Leonard's to a safer area. But flames were coming out of the air conditioning vents and they had to get out. Leonard crawled from the car and fell to the pavement. "That’s when I saw my feet," he said. "I could tell they were gone. They were still attached, but they were shredded."

On July 19, 2007, Ken Leonard went back to North Carolina to get his job back with the police force. To do that he needed to pass the Police Officers Physical Abilities Test, which, among other things, consisted of a 200-yard run to be finished in under 7 minutes, 20 seconds. And he did just that with 24 seconds to spare.

"Somebody told me one time they said, 'You know, what you've lost is just bone and muscle. You've still got heart, and you've still got, you know, what's up here,'" Leonard said, pointing to his head.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

Mi Vida Loca

I am not opposed to overtime. I have worked it from time to time without a problem. That was primarily because it was one really long day once every three months. We called it quarter end.

I work in the retail distribution industry for a third part logistics provider. That means, our customers pay us to warehouse their product and then pay us to ship it out at their specifications and request. A lot of people call this fulfillment, and for some customers this is exactly what we do, but for others it is large shipments to a wholesaler. We have numerous customers, and everyone is different. Our facility is what is referred to as a shared public warehouse.

I love my job, and have been there eight and a half years. As I mentioned earlier, overtime happens. Especially with our seasonal accounts, and with all of them there is a huge quarter end push for sales and numbers, which always leads to OT. Only for about a week every three months though. Lately, this is not the case.

We have a new customer. This customer didn't give us any of the right figures from day one. Ten to twenty orders a day turned into hundreds. One or two floor-loaded inbound sea containers a month turned into one or two a week. Two thousand SKU's (parts) turned into over five thousand. The account has become a recurring bad dream for me. I went from working 42 hours in a five day work week to working over 50 in a six day work week. The problem, is this doesn't seem to be going away. It seems that this is going to be the norm for a very long time.

We keep hearing that this is start-up, and it will die down, but I am not thinking that is the case. I have been through many star-ups, and none were like this. My only saving grace is that my employers are seeking to hire more people, and have brought on ten new hires in the last few weeks. Things will get better, but it won't be because things will die down.

I had to resign my post as my son's den leader as it wasn't fair to the boys. I was no longer making the den meetings that I was scheduling and not finding enough time in the evenings to plan a decent one. I was short-changing the boys, and that wasn't fair. All I could say when I resigned was "I am sorry, and this is unfortunate, but one job pays the bills, and the other, although rewarding, can't". I am still going to be an active member of the pack, just in a different capacity. I have now found myself a job that I can do at two AM if need be. I am going to be the publicity chair. Wish me luck!

I am telling all of you this because I have been absent a great deal lately. I wanted all of you to know that I hope it won't be for long, and to please keep checking up on me!

Ask Captain Dramatic

Tomorrow is the first day of third grade for Captain Dramatic. He has always loved school, even though the principal and I are on a first name basis. When CD gets bored in class he tends to disrupt the entire class. He is in a very good school, with great teachers (for the most part), and the administration there is truly concerned for all children, and probably believed in "no child left behind" as a personal motto before it became a political catch phrase. Even through his ups and downs, he loves school. He gets excited every year, and spends a great deal of time picking out his clothes for the first day.

Me: (After a long quiet absence, which always makes me nervous) What are you doing?
CD: Picking out my clothes for tomorrow.
Me: Why?
CD: Because I want to be sure I look good on the first day!
Me: For Natalia?
CD: Mom! *sigh* (With great resignation, knowing he can't lie to me) Yes.
Me: *chuckling* Ok, just don't wear the homework shirt on the first day of school!
CD: (Appearing at computer room door holding said T-shirt) Aw, mom! That is the one I want to wear!
Me: No! It may impress Natalia, but it won't impress your teacher. At least wait until the second day of school.
CD: Oh, alright.

By the way, the homework shirt is the latest in a long line of "shirts with sayings". He had to have it. Here's a picture of the front of the T-Shirt.




So, tonight's festivities didn't stop there.

Dad-E: She so knows you!
CD: Who?
Dad-E: Your mom! She so knows you!
CD: That so sucks.
Me: Guys, com'mon! (They were just playing around, but I was trying to type, and wanted quiet, so I could hear myself think.)
Dad-E: He started it! (still playing around of course)
Me: I am soooo going to beat someone!
Dad-E: That cat?
CD: *promptly produces the cat who it totally unaware*
Me: *laughing*
Dad-E: (to CD) High five! I set 'em up, you knock 'em down!

You see what I live with?! Yeah, you're right. I really wouldn't have it any other way.

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Saturday's Super Site

I am really sorry guys. I have nothing for you this week. I haven't seen a lot of nominations, but that isn't usually a problem. I usually have time to surf the web and always find sites I like, but my work schedule has ground this practice to halt as of late. I am sure that many of you have noticed that I have been absent from reading your blogs as well. Sorry guys. I hope to be back at full force soon. Bare with me.

You can learn about how to nominate a site by clicking on the graphic above. I would love to start seeing some more nominations.

[PPP] The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk

Alzheimer's is a disease most of us have heard of, and many of us have had touch our lives through a loved one of acquaintance. More than five million American's suffer from Alzheimer's directly, but many more millions of people have suffered by watching their loved ones slowly deteriorate.

It is a devastating disease that affects the brain by destroying neurons. Neurons are the nerve cells in your brain that pass the signals that enable the brain to form memories and thoughts. People suffering from Alzheimer’s are loosing these very important cells, and as the disease progresses, the brain tissue begins to deteriorate. Over time, the brain will shrink dramatically, and this, of course, affects nearly all of the brain's functions. In the advanced stages of Alzheimer's the cortex shrivels up damaging the areas in the brain that are responsible for thinking, planning, and remembering. The shrinkage is even greater in the area of the brain responsible for the forming of new memories.

Those suffering with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years, but the rate of the progression of Alzheimer's can vary greatly. It isn't uncommon for changes in a person's brain to begin 20 years or more before diagnosis.

The Alzheimer's Association is a resource to those who have been touched by Alzheimer's. They have local offices throughout the United States that offer community programs to help sufferers and their families. The have volumes of information to offer on diagnosis, treatment, and finding the proper medical care for those who suffer from Alzheimer's. There is also a 24 hour hotline offered by the Alzheimer's Association offering reliable information and support.

The Alzheimer's Association needs all of our help. Nothing in this world is free of course, and not even close to free when it ventures into the realm of medical care. The Alzheimer's Association in a non-profit organization and relies heavily of donations. From the donations they gather they spend 78 percent for research, care, support, awareness and advocacy. One of the many events they hold to raise funds and awareness is the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk. It is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. It is held annually cities and communities across the country. More than 600 in fact, and since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $225 million. I can't fathom a guess as to how far that will go in the grand scheme of things, but I can be fairly certain in saying that more is needed to continue providing research, care, and support levels needed.

By joining and participating in the Memory Walk you can help. A typical Memory Walk is 2-3 miles and usually held on a weekend morning in the fall. You can sign up now to participate or be a team captain. As a team captain, you will organize a team of your friends or co-workers and gather donations together to meet fundraising goals that your team has agreed upon. You will energize your team and encourage them to find others who will support this worthy cause. Team captains are vital to a successful Memory Walk, and there are numerous resources to aid you in helping your team reach their goals. Things are always more fun as a team, and more successful as well. Find a Memory Walk near you and sign up as team captain early!

What Do You Think?

Tonight, I put up a few more designs at my store. I have been curious to hear what all of you think. Take a look and let me know how you think I am doing.

By the way, one of the newest designs is "Duh! Big Red Truck!" There is a story behind that one. Captain Dramatic says that one little phrase constantly. He started saying it after I told a blonde joke that I had heard that day. It is still one of my favorite blonde jokes.

One day a blonde's kitchen catches fire. In a panic she dials 911 and yells frantically, "Help! Help! My house is on fire! MY house is on fire!" The dispatcher on the other end of the line responds, "OK, lady, just calm down! Just tell us, how do we get there?" The blonde, in complete disbelief says, "Duh! Big red truck!"

CD and I love that joke.

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kasee

Click Image For Full Size

SSgt. John T. Self
29 years old from Pontotoc, Mississippi
314th Security Forces Squadron
May 14, 2007


A kindhearted patriot. That's how SSgt. John Self was described by those who knew him. "John was a good boy, a good boy who loved his country and who loved Christ and for that he’ll move on to a better place," said Laron Self, Sgt. Self's grandfather, fighting back tears.

SSgt. Self was killed, and three other airmen wounded, when an IED hit the Humvee they were traveling in while on his 79th patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. "John volunteered for this deployment while he was deployed to (Southwest Asia)," said Chief Master Sgt. Keith Morris, 314th SFS security forces manager. "We discussed this deployment via e-mail. He said he made his decision to deploy again to gain experience."


"He could always find the humor in anything regardless of the situation," said Senior Airman Daniel Hunsperger, a member of Self's fire team. "He believed in everything he did. This was obvious to us after learning he had only spent two weeks home between his last deployment and volunteering for this one."

On May 23, SSgt. Self was laid to rest with a crowd of hundreds to pay their respects. People lined both sides of the highway for more than 5 miles waving flags as the hundred-car procession traveled to the burial. Shouts of, "We love you John," and "Thank you, John, could be heard as the train of cars passed by. "That’s a hero," Susan Chambers, one of the many mourners, said to her son as she pointed at Self's casket.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

Ask Captain Dramatic

Do all of you remember when Captain Dramatic refused to clean his room, and Dad-E and I had to do it for him? I bet CD does! Well, the next installment in this saga is upon us, but before I continue, his room is still clean!

After Dad-E and I bagged up all of the toys on his bedroom floor, CD's room was clean, but my living room wasn't. We had plastic kitchen bags everywhere in the living room. This bothered me, but I wasn't ready to give all to these expensive toys away. They cost too much money! Then it hit me! It was a brilliant idea! I decided that he was going to have to buy them all back from me, and earn the money to do so, any way he could, legally. He has been mowing the lawn for his grandparents once a week, and is off to a great start. He also had amassed about $90.00 in a piggy bank over the years, but that is empty now. Not only is he having to buy his toys back though. There is another clause. He isn't allowed to spend any of his money on anything else until all the toys are dealt with. After all, why would I let him have more toys if he can't show me he can take care of the old ones?

Now, I certainly don't charge him full price for everything. His Gameboy, the case and all the games ran him less than the game boy cost when it was bought. He is now officially broke though, and still has a lot more lawn mowing to do to get the rest of his toys back.

You see, he learns a few things with this method. He learns that although these toys were given to him for free, they were not free to the giver. He starts to get a relative idea of what the value of a dollar is, and more importantly, he is learning how much work it takes to make a dollar. Without his knowledge, he also gets to add to his future college fund because I am not keeping his money. I am just putting it in his savings account. That will have to be our little secret though.

(As a side note, my mother hates the idea, but I didn't hear any complaints from my father. My mother stopped hating the idea when she learned that I was just putting the money in his savings account, although, I think she still thinks I am being a little harsh, and insists on bringing up how horrible my room was when I was that age. Maybe she just wishes she had the idea first. :P Like it or not, she is supporting it, and I have to give her lots of credit for that.)

Here is a recent conversation:

Me: What has having to buy yours toys back taught you?

CD: I have learned that toys cost money to someone, and that you have to work really hard to earn money. I also learned I like mowing lawns.

I will ask him about how much he likes mowing lawns in a few more weeks...

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Saturday's Super Site

This weeks Saturday's Super Site is brought to us by E at Two Angry Brits. E has nominated Overheard In New York, and had the following to say:

"Sometimes funny, sometimes crude, other times just depressing that some people are like this. 'Overheard at...' is actually several websites that chronicle things people were overheard saying. NSFW warning, sometimes people say rude or even racist things, but never fails to make an impression on me. OK it's not really a blog, but more somewhere anyone can send in a line, but I have several of them on my RSS feed and they have survived my twice yearly clear out."

Well, that is the fun thing about Saturday's Super Site! Doesn't have to always be a blog! I am glad you sent this my way.

E also provided a few of his favorites:

Suit, embarrassed after tapping man on shoulder: ... Sorry, I thought I knew you [starts to walk away].
Man he tapped: I'm your cousin!

Store clerk: This is a good TV, but ma'am, it'll probably be obsolete in about three or five years.
Old lady: That's fine, 'cause I'll probably be obsolete in three or five years.

Teen chick #1: So, like, how come you always hear about how they do tests and stuff to find out who babies' dads are, but you never hear about dads checking who the mother is?
Teen chick #2: I guess the dads just never care that much.

Son: I thought you were looking for Danielle Steele?
Mom: I am.
Boy: But isn't that fiction? Why are we in literature?
Mom: Fiction is literature.
Boy: Oh. I thought literature was good writing.

After a quick peak, here are a few of mine:

Conductor: Once again, ladies and gentlemen, today is July 31st. November monthly tickets are no longer valid on this train.

Conductor: This is the voice of your conductor. Remember, only I can move the train. [Pauses while train begins moving, then] See? Just like that.

Teen #1: We are going to 34th Street.
Teen #2: That's on 42nd, right?
Teen #1: Oh, you are so stupid.

Dude: Who would win in a fight, Pinhead or Predator?
Chick: Definitely Predator.
Dude: But wait -- is pinhead real?

You can learn about how to nominate a site by clicking on the graphic above. I would love to start seeing some more nominations.

Wednesday's Hero

This Week's Soldier Was Suggested By Kat

Sgt. Michael J. Stokely
23 years old from Sharpsburg, Georgia
1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team
August 16, 2005


Next Saturday, August 25, the town of Peachtree City, Ga. will be holding it's inaugural Ride To Remember for Sgt. Michael Stokely who lost his life two years ago tomorrow in Baghdad, Iraq when an IED detonated near his position. The patrol he was with had stopped and the NCO in charge had everyone take a rest while he walked back down the road with a Corporal to check out something suspicious. Sgt. Stokely refused to to rest, and instead took up a flanking position at the rear of his truck to watch their backs. Which, as a Cav Scout dismount, he saw as his job. The NCO and Corporal heard cracking noises and made their way to the sound when they were hit by an explosion. The NCO was seriously wounded but the Corporal made it through without a scratch. Sgt. Stokely, however, wasn't so lucky.

You can read more about Sgt. Michael Stokely here and here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

New Items

I managed to talk my husband into working on designs again tonight and got a few new designs up in my store. Remember, if you like the design, but not the shirt it is on, let me know. I can switch them around for you if you like. If you want to see the new designs, you can click on the button below.

Soon there will be one up regarding furry yolks...

Amazing!

This blew me away! The boy in this story deserves a lot of credit for what he has been able to accomplish, and you have to give mom credit for being there to encourage him all along the way.



h/t Big White Hat

My Store

Captain Dramatic and I love those T-shirts with the funny little saying on them. It has become a hobby of CD's to see how many he can amass before he grows out of them. While sitting at my PC one night I had an idea. An idea that took CD's love for shirts with catchy sayings, and he ability to pop-off with strange little sayings all his own, and combined them, somewhat.

I decided to open a store at cafepress.com. I have given my husband, who is always on a PC, and who loves to mess around with graphics, the job of making my ideas, based on CD's life, a reality big enough to fit on a T-shirt, hat, or coffee mug. I have added a button in my side bar so you can easily visit my store. I have also placed one at the top and bottom of this blog entry.

I really enjoyed being creative with the shirts, and I hope all of you like them as well. You will recognize some of the sayings from "Ask Captain Dramatic", but there are others. Ok, so not yet, but there will be others. My dear husband is working on about three others now. Some reflect what I say to Captain Dramatic all the time, some reflect ideas that are prominent in this household. We tried to make all of them humorous, or catchy, or both. I will make an announcement here when more have been finished and are ready to be viewed.

My only complaint about this whole process is that cafepress.com only allows me to put one design on one shirt. So, instead of being able to offer all the designs on whichever shirt you choose, I can only have the shirt type up once with whatever design I happened to stick on it at the time. That being said, if there is a design that you like, but it isn't on a shirt you like, let me know. I can switch them around long enough for you to order one if you like. My email address in my profile.

As a side note, I do make some money from the sales, but it isn't much at all. By the time CD is ready for college, I may have made enough money from T-shirt sales to buy him a text book. :P

This Is A Real Stand Up Guy If I Have Ever Seen One

This picture really moved me. I don't know the people in it, I don't even know where it was taken, but I was still very moved. Take a look.

At first I was angry because there was only one person standing up when the colors passed during a parade. Then I looked a little harder. I suddenly became impressed. No one else can be bothered to stand as the colors pass, with the exception of this one man. This one man who came to the parade in his wheelchair, and had to work at least ten times harder to stand. Yet he stood anyway, because his flag was passing. I am impressed by this man, and this one solitary action on his part. He truly gives new meaning to being a real stand up guy.

What Are You?

This was amazing! This man knows what he is, and what he is doing. What are you, and what are you doing?



What a powerful message!

Ask Captain Dramatic

Captain Dramatic was playing with the cat one morning this week. She isn't too keen on whatever it is he is doing, and is protesting with teeth. CD isn't phased. This is common in our house after all. As he laughs at her attempt to deter his attentions and proceeds to call her a 'freak eyed poop'.

Me: *look of disbelief* What? What is a Freak-eyed poop?
CD: You know, like how Black Eyed Peas made up their name.
Me: But Black Eyed Peas is an real thing, not just a made up name!
CD: I know, but it is like theirs only I made it up.
Me: So you're going to start a rap band called freak eyed poop?
CD: *laughs*

This exchange helped the cat extricate herself for her current bind however.

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Saturday's Super Site

I haven't been seeing a lot of nominees, so I am putting out the call to all of you to find your favorite blogs and nominate them! You can nominate any blog by clicking on the link above and following the simple instructions listed there. You can also nominate as many as you like!

Having said that, without further ado, this weeks Saturday's Super Site is one I chose, and is The Bigsibling Blog.

I have been a faithful reader of The Bigsibling Blog for some time. It has a number of great stories, and the author is an exceptional writer who has a very well thought out commentary. It is obvious that a great deal of effort, time and thought is put into the posts found there. Freedom of speech, censorship, and many social issues are covered there. Social issues such as the current changes occurring in pubic schools, what has been done to protect the kids from the newest evils in the world, and in a lot of cases the reactions of the students, and his thoughts on those reactions. I have always found this blog informative and insightful. It has always been worth the time I spend there, and I have often closed my browser having learned something.

Here are some of my recent favorites.

Canadians, check your rights at the Internet portal please

Right to peaceably assemble ends with property destruction

Censorship is censorship

Freedom of speech - still kicking!

There are many other topics covered at The Bigsibling Blog.

I urge you all to have a read. A big congratulations to Bigsibling, and an even bigger thank you for enlightening the blogosphere.

You can learn about how to nominate a site by clicking on the graphic above. I would love to start seeing some more nominations.

Are You A Bad Speller?

THE FINAL INSPECTION

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The Marine stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Marine,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the Marine waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you Marine,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

[PPP] Halloween In August? You Bet!

Get ready! On August 31st a movie hits the theaters, and it promises to be one you won't soon forget. It is written and directed by Rob Zombie and is called Halloween. It looks like the saga of Michael Myers continues. Somehow, I always knew it would.

All of us have a favorite horror movie. It is always the movie that scared the beejeezus out of us and gave us nightmares for a week. That is precisely why we all have to watch them, isn't it? Honestly, the nightmares are the reason I don't watch a lot of horror movies anymore. I am always afraid I will die of a heart attack as I jump three feet out of my seat just as the suspense mounts, the music changes, and the stupid blond goes into the dark room alone when she knows there is something not quite right in there. I think I am getting old. When I was much younger, I saw many of the Halloween movies, and still remember them, and I catch the occasional horror flick now and again despite my fear of instant death.

As I mentioned earlier Rob Zombie wrote and directed this movie. He is an extremely talented individual in many respects, so I am very excited to see what he brings to the silver screen as a writer. More importantly, I am eager to see what he brings to Halloween the movie. I am hopeful that I will finally get to see some of the back story. You know, the parts of the story that lead up to Michael Myers becoming the psychopathic murderer that we have all grown to know, and at one point in our lives have a really bad dream about.

I did watch a few of the trailers, and it seems I may finally get what I always thought was missing. Yes, I know. I am one of those, who have a need to find a reason behind everything. It was never enough for me just know that the murderer was a psychopath, and wanted everyone dead. I always wanted to know why. I will have to wait until August 31st to find out though! I will risk the nightmares!

Here is the trailer for the most recent in the Halloween series. Enjoy! See you at the theater!

Wednesday's Hero

This Week's Soldier Was Suggested By Gary

Col. James W. Harrison Jr.
47 years old from Missouri
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan
May 6, 2007


Duty, Honor, Country. Col. James Harrison Jr. embodied that ethos, said his family. He was committed to the mission of the United States in Afghanistan and spoke with great pride about the accomplishments of the men and women with which he served

Col. Harrison was killed on May 6 when a Taliban fighter, dressed as an Afghan police officer, shot him at point blank range at Pul-e-Charkhi prison near Kabul. Also killed along side Col. Harrison was Master Sgt. Wilberto Sabalu Jr. and two other soldiers were wounded. All four men were working as mentors to Afghan troops providing external security for the prison.

Harrison graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1981. He also graduated from the Military Police Basic and Advanced courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the Army Inspector General Course, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University and a Master of Science degree in national security and strategic studies from the National Defense University. Before going to Afghanistan in December 2006, he was assigned to Fort Leavenworth as director of the School for Command Preparation at the Command and General Staff College.

He is survived by his wife and three sons.

To read a letter from the Afghan general in charge of the detention facility, visit Amy Proctor's site.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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D.U.I.

I have no idea how this officer made it through this with a straight face. I wouldn't have been able to.