Music by: glen phillips and toad
Lyrics by: glen phillips
It’s hard to rely on my good intentions
When my head’s full of things that I can’t mention
Seems I usually get things right
But I can’t understand what I did last night
It’s hard to rely on my own good senses
When I miss so much that requires attention
Have to laugh at myself sometimes
And I can see that I’m not blind
There’s little relief
Give us reprieve
For all the things I’ve left behind
I’m positive that I’m not blind
I’m not afraid things won’t get better
But it feels like this has gone on forever
You have to cry with your own blue tears
Have to laugh with your own good cheer
It’s hard to rely on my good intentions
When my head’s full of things that I can’t mention
Seems I usually get things right
But I can’t understand what I did last night
There’s little relief
Give us reprieve
Imagining the world outside
I’m positive that I’m not blind
I can’t be hard on you
’cause you know I’ve been there too
Learned a lot of things from you
But life gives little relief
Give us reprieve
And when everyone is cold as ice
I clinch my fists and close my eyes
Imagining the world outside
But I can see that I’m not blind
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
About President Bush's speech and other things....
The GF and I watched the speech given last night at Ft. Bragg on tv. The GF basically agrees with the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and thinks that good things are happening despite the nightly body count on tv. Philosophically, I agree with President Bush, and I am trying to be more convinced, but even after the speech last night, I still think the details are sketchy about our long term goals and exactly how we are helping the Iraqi forces fortifying themselves.
I asked the GF if she would have felt differently if I had not come back from Iraq, or lost parts of my body while I was there, she said that she wasn't sure.
I do remember feeling like what costly of a waste of a life when I saw Private Coleman lying on the ground and bleeding from everywhere of his body.(Don't get me wrong, the Iraqis are also paying a very high price.) I don't think that I'd like the job of a US president, playing the game of global politics, indirectly/directly responsible for deaths of thousands. Most of the people that I was over in Iraq with have either gotten out of the service, or doing whatever they can so they won't have to be back there again. Maybe one day, the time spent over there will not feel like it was spent wasted. It was a confusing time, and I hope that I've become a better person for it, but it's still a work in progress. I am grateful to have seen that part of the world though, I mean, how many other people could say the same about where they've been to?
The GF's job search has been diffucult and it has been frustrating. I guess the better economy just hasn't yet made it to this part of the world. I just wish that she has something to do so she won't be so bored. At times, I feel like that we are members of the witness protection program, it's pretty isolated here and we don't get the people here at all. (I guess people here don't get us either.)
Looking forward to seeing the nephew this weekend, some kid therapy would be great!
I asked the GF if she would have felt differently if I had not come back from Iraq, or lost parts of my body while I was there, she said that she wasn't sure.
I do remember feeling like what costly of a waste of a life when I saw Private Coleman lying on the ground and bleeding from everywhere of his body.(Don't get me wrong, the Iraqis are also paying a very high price.) I don't think that I'd like the job of a US president, playing the game of global politics, indirectly/directly responsible for deaths of thousands. Most of the people that I was over in Iraq with have either gotten out of the service, or doing whatever they can so they won't have to be back there again. Maybe one day, the time spent over there will not feel like it was spent wasted. It was a confusing time, and I hope that I've become a better person for it, but it's still a work in progress. I am grateful to have seen that part of the world though, I mean, how many other people could say the same about where they've been to?
The GF's job search has been diffucult and it has been frustrating. I guess the better economy just hasn't yet made it to this part of the world. I just wish that she has something to do so she won't be so bored. At times, I feel like that we are members of the witness protection program, it's pretty isolated here and we don't get the people here at all. (I guess people here don't get us either.)
Looking forward to seeing the nephew this weekend, some kid therapy would be great!
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
This past weekend and other stuff....
We got back from our marathon-driving mini vacation to Gurnee, Il. My sister lives up there, and she was trying to sell her condo. After about 2 weeks on the market, she found a buyer and that's pretty amazing! The GF got to spend some time around my sister and overall, the experience was alright, they're not completely used to each other yet, but they've no clue how alike they are with each other.
We spent most of the $ buying food and eating them! We had Italian, Chinese, Japanese,American, and vietnamese food. If we had more time, I'm sure we would of had Indian food also! My sister and I can eat!
My dog Ramen, got to spend some quality time with his canine cousin, Woody. Woody is a beagle and quite talkative. There were a few times when Woody got on Ramen's nerves because Woody was being too noisy and spazzy. I don't think Ramen likes other dogs much, he definitely likes humans better!
Listened to a lot of news and talk shows on the XM, driving to and back from Gurnee, and I heard that President Bush will address the nation on the war in Iraq tonight, and I'm interested in hearing what reasons he has for maintaining our force there. While it's true that the war on terror will last for many more years to come, it is time to be more clear and communicative on our goals, worries, and successes. I can understand that the patience of Americans are stretching thin, and frankly, even I sometimes wonder why we are still there and the sacrifices can seem so fruitless at times. Do we really have a good understanding of the Arab countries to make this work? Do the Arabs understand that they've got to help themselves too?
More on this topic later, right now, I'm just trying to wake up and this rain outside is not helping much!
We spent most of the $ buying food and eating them! We had Italian, Chinese, Japanese,American, and vietnamese food. If we had more time, I'm sure we would of had Indian food also! My sister and I can eat!
My dog Ramen, got to spend some quality time with his canine cousin, Woody. Woody is a beagle and quite talkative. There were a few times when Woody got on Ramen's nerves because Woody was being too noisy and spazzy. I don't think Ramen likes other dogs much, he definitely likes humans better!
Listened to a lot of news and talk shows on the XM, driving to and back from Gurnee, and I heard that President Bush will address the nation on the war in Iraq tonight, and I'm interested in hearing what reasons he has for maintaining our force there. While it's true that the war on terror will last for many more years to come, it is time to be more clear and communicative on our goals, worries, and successes. I can understand that the patience of Americans are stretching thin, and frankly, even I sometimes wonder why we are still there and the sacrifices can seem so fruitless at times. Do we really have a good understanding of the Arab countries to make this work? Do the Arabs understand that they've got to help themselves too?
More on this topic later, right now, I'm just trying to wake up and this rain outside is not helping much!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Anxious....
To get out of the office and prepare for our trip up to Chicagoland to see my sister and her canine son!
My collegue is on the phone, don't know who he's talking to and I don't care. He had let out many a laughs about God knows what and it's beginning to get a bit annoying. There's the kind of laugh that you make because something is really funny, and the kind of laugh you make because you want other people to think that they are funny, not really worth it, as far as I'm concerned. I got radio Vh1 blasting into my headsets, "The Power" by Snap is really good to mute out unwanted noises.
Here's a site for y'all to waste a few minutes of your time over... All Look Same
I will probably not blog until we come back from that part of the Midwest, have a good one for me in the meanwhile!
My collegue is on the phone, don't know who he's talking to and I don't care. He had let out many a laughs about God knows what and it's beginning to get a bit annoying. There's the kind of laugh that you make because something is really funny, and the kind of laugh you make because you want other people to think that they are funny, not really worth it, as far as I'm concerned. I got radio Vh1 blasting into my headsets, "The Power" by Snap is really good to mute out unwanted noises.
Here's a site for y'all to waste a few minutes of your time over... All Look Same
I will probably not blog until we come back from that part of the Midwest, have a good one for me in the meanwhile!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Proust Quesionnaire for yours truly...
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Good food, able body, happy heart, great family and friends.
What is your greatest fear?
Nothing more to look forward to in life.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I can't say that I do at this point.
Which living person do you most admire?
I'd have to say my grandparents, they've done so much in their lives and helped out a lot of people in the process.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Soaps,lotions,shoes....
What is your favorite journey?
From here to there.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Overt modesty, it makes me doubt you.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Let's see, my boobs, big head, big legs,heavy footed walk and run.
Which living person do you most despise?
Probably Osama Bin Laden, that crazy son of a bitch.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My GF, and the pets.
Where and when were you happiest?
When I'm off traveling with the GF and eating great foods.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
That they'd be more accepting of my GF.
What is your most treasured posession?
My canine, human, and feline friends.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Lattitude: 36 degrees North to 40.35 degrees North
Longitude: 89.6 West to 95.42 degrees West
(Otherwise known as the coordinates of The State of Missouri.)
What is your favorite occupation?
What I am doing now.
What do you most value in your friends?
Steadfastness.
Who are your favorite writers?
Joseph Campbell, John Irving, John Steinbeck,Cynthia Heimel, John Krakauer.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Doraemon, I consider him a hero.
Who are your heroes in real life?
(stealing this one from Umberto Eco)"Unhappy the land were heroes are needed."
What are your favorite names?
Winston, Marlboro,Kent, Camel,Virginia Slims, Capri,Dijarum.
What is your motto?
"As long as the food is good...."
Good food, able body, happy heart, great family and friends.
What is your greatest fear?
Nothing more to look forward to in life.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I can't say that I do at this point.
Which living person do you most admire?
I'd have to say my grandparents, they've done so much in their lives and helped out a lot of people in the process.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Soaps,lotions,shoes....
What is your favorite journey?
From here to there.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Overt modesty, it makes me doubt you.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Let's see, my boobs, big head, big legs,heavy footed walk and run.
Which living person do you most despise?
Probably Osama Bin Laden, that crazy son of a bitch.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My GF, and the pets.
Where and when were you happiest?
When I'm off traveling with the GF and eating great foods.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
That they'd be more accepting of my GF.
What is your most treasured posession?
My canine, human, and feline friends.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Lattitude: 36 degrees North to 40.35 degrees North
Longitude: 89.6 West to 95.42 degrees West
(Otherwise known as the coordinates of The State of Missouri.)
What is your favorite occupation?
What I am doing now.
What do you most value in your friends?
Steadfastness.
Who are your favorite writers?
Joseph Campbell, John Irving, John Steinbeck,Cynthia Heimel, John Krakauer.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Doraemon, I consider him a hero.
Who are your heroes in real life?
(stealing this one from Umberto Eco)"Unhappy the land were heroes are needed."
What are your favorite names?
Winston, Marlboro,Kent, Camel,Virginia Slims, Capri,Dijarum.
What is your motto?
"As long as the food is good...."
Monday, June 20, 2005
Hooray for Mr. Haraguchi!
Japanese man, 95, sets 100m record
Posted: Monday June 20, 2005 12:20PM; Updated: Monday June 20, 2005 12:20PM
Kozo Haraguchi broke a record in his age bracket that stood for six years.
AP
TOKYO (AP) -- A 95-year-old Japanese man who took up track only three decades ago has run the 100 meters in 22.04-seconds, a record for his age bracket, according to media reports.
Kozo Haraguchi looked sturdy and fit as he dashed Sunday at an outdoor track slick with rain in the southern Japanese city of Miyazaki.
"It was the first time for me to run in the rain and as I was thinking to myself, 'I mustn't fall, I mustn't fall,' I made it across the goal," Haraguchi told reporters.
Japanese media reports Monday said that Haraguchi had beaten the world record of 24.01 seconds for the 95 to 99 age group set by Hawaii-resident Erwin Jaskulski in May 1999.
His time will be submitted to the World Masters Athletics organization for verification, they said.
Haraguchi also holds the World Masters Athletics' world record for the fastest man aged 90 to 95 -- a time of 18.08 seconds he set in September 2000. He started track events at age 65 and stays healthy by taking hourlong walks daily.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Wow!
Posted: Monday June 20, 2005 12:20PM; Updated: Monday June 20, 2005 12:20PM
Kozo Haraguchi broke a record in his age bracket that stood for six years.
AP
TOKYO (AP) -- A 95-year-old Japanese man who took up track only three decades ago has run the 100 meters in 22.04-seconds, a record for his age bracket, according to media reports.
Kozo Haraguchi looked sturdy and fit as he dashed Sunday at an outdoor track slick with rain in the southern Japanese city of Miyazaki.
"It was the first time for me to run in the rain and as I was thinking to myself, 'I mustn't fall, I mustn't fall,' I made it across the goal," Haraguchi told reporters.
Japanese media reports Monday said that Haraguchi had beaten the world record of 24.01 seconds for the 95 to 99 age group set by Hawaii-resident Erwin Jaskulski in May 1999.
His time will be submitted to the World Masters Athletics organization for verification, they said.
Haraguchi also holds the World Masters Athletics' world record for the fastest man aged 90 to 95 -- a time of 18.08 seconds he set in September 2000. He started track events at age 65 and stays healthy by taking hourlong walks daily.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Wow!
I've no hair now!
When I had gotten back to my folks' home late Friday night, grandpa had already returned from a long-stay in the hospital. He had stayed there for almost 3 months, and almost died 2x while he was there, and now is doing some walking with the help of a walker, eating, does not need a breathing tube down his throat now, and way different than when I last saw him. I am really relieved that he's doing better now, I still worry about grandma a bit, she's aware that her mental state is not what it used to be, and it's sad to watch sometimes, but it happens to the best of us, even those without alzheimers.
To let grandpa take a quiet nap, I offered to take grandma to the hair salon to get her a haircut, since grandpa had gotten sick, she had not had any chance to beautify herself in any way. I'd figured tha I could also get a haircut or get my highlight re-touched. Flipping through these Japanses hairstyle magazines (the hair salon is a Chinese owed salon in Southwest section of Houston.), I picked this one hairstyle that essentially looked kind of different on me. I was trying to get the messy look, but since my hair's thick and stiff, the hairdresser had no choice but to layer the heck out of my hair and in the process, lopped off most of my highlighted hair. So I'm back to looking kinda like a boy, with gray highlights, but if you looked at me, with my cleavage and still thinks that I'm a boy,then we've got to talk!! The good thing about this haircut is that I'll stay cooler for the summertime, use less shampoo/conditioner, and no need to blow dry...maybe never have to comb again! (just kidding!)
Grandma, after 3 hours, got a perm that made her look like she had more energy and had more hair...now if I had more time, I'd suggest that she get some haircoloring herself. To tell you the truth, her hair did not even start graying much until she was in her mid-70's!
The GF asked me if she looked older now than when I had met her, I don't think she has. Neither of us has ever really looked our age. She told me that I looked like I've gotten older, not counting the graying hair. Having lived around a lot of older folks growing up, it really doesn't alarm me much. I've been really young once and really, once was enough, and as long as I still have enough energy and curiosity about people and the world around me, I don't really care. Everyone gets old, so might as well accept it, you know?
To let grandpa take a quiet nap, I offered to take grandma to the hair salon to get her a haircut, since grandpa had gotten sick, she had not had any chance to beautify herself in any way. I'd figured tha I could also get a haircut or get my highlight re-touched. Flipping through these Japanses hairstyle magazines (the hair salon is a Chinese owed salon in Southwest section of Houston.), I picked this one hairstyle that essentially looked kind of different on me. I was trying to get the messy look, but since my hair's thick and stiff, the hairdresser had no choice but to layer the heck out of my hair and in the process, lopped off most of my highlighted hair. So I'm back to looking kinda like a boy, with gray highlights, but if you looked at me, with my cleavage and still thinks that I'm a boy,then we've got to talk!! The good thing about this haircut is that I'll stay cooler for the summertime, use less shampoo/conditioner, and no need to blow dry...maybe never have to comb again! (just kidding!)
Grandma, after 3 hours, got a perm that made her look like she had more energy and had more hair...now if I had more time, I'd suggest that she get some haircoloring herself. To tell you the truth, her hair did not even start graying much until she was in her mid-70's!
The GF asked me if she looked older now than when I had met her, I don't think she has. Neither of us has ever really looked our age. She told me that I looked like I've gotten older, not counting the graying hair. Having lived around a lot of older folks growing up, it really doesn't alarm me much. I've been really young once and really, once was enough, and as long as I still have enough energy and curiosity about people and the world around me, I don't really care. Everyone gets old, so might as well accept it, you know?
Friday, June 17, 2005
About the Natalee Holloway case.
New arrest in Aruba missing teen case
Authorities take fourth man into custody
Friday, June 17, 2005 Posted: 11:32 AM EDT (1532 GMT)
Natalee Holloway was last seen Monday, May 30.
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (CNN) -- Aruban authorities said Friday they had made a new arrest in connection with Natalee Holloway's disappearance, bringing the number of men in custody to four.
A prosecutor's spokeswoman identified the man arrested Friday only by his initials, S.G.C., in keeping with Aruban law. She said he was born July 21, 1978.
Police arrested him at 6:25 a.m., and were still searching his home several hours later, said police commissioner Jan Van Der Straten.
He said the 26-year-old's name was given by one of the three suspects in custody.
Police are holding Joran Van Der Sloot, 17, Deepak Kalpoe, 21, and his brother Satish Kalpoe, 18. They were arrested June 9.
Holloway was last reported seen around 1:30 a.m. on May 30, when she left the nightclub Carlos'N Charlie's with the three young men.
Authorities have found no trace of her, despite a massive search. (Full story)
No charges have been filed against the three, and defense attorneys for each have said they maintain their innocence.
Prosecutors planned to argue Friday that they need to keep the three in custody for further questioning. Under Aruban law, prosecutors can ask judges to approve three eight-day extensions, followed by one 60-day extension and then one 30-day extension.
Suspects may be held up to 116 days -- and in rare cases even longer -- before formal charges are filed, said prosecutor's spokeswoman Mariaine Croes
On Wednesday, authorities searched Van Der Sloot's home, seizing two cars and removing bagfuls of evidence.
Van Der Sloot's father is awaiting a ruling on his petition to see his son, which is required under Dutch law since Van Der Sloot is a minor. Aruba is part of the Netherlands.
Two hotel guards were arrested early in the investigation, but were released on Monday. They were never charged. (Full story)
CNN's Karl Penhaul contributed to this report.
*This case is looking stranger than ever. I wonder why the Arubian authorities kept arresting people but cannot produce a body. I hope that I'm wrong, but after so many days, there's serious doubt that Ms. Holloway is still alive and well. It could be the case that Arubian investigative techniques are to arrest first and then gather evidence, but the fact that her wherabouts are still unknown is very unsettling.
Authorities take fourth man into custody
Friday, June 17, 2005 Posted: 11:32 AM EDT (1532 GMT)
Natalee Holloway was last seen Monday, May 30.
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (CNN) -- Aruban authorities said Friday they had made a new arrest in connection with Natalee Holloway's disappearance, bringing the number of men in custody to four.
A prosecutor's spokeswoman identified the man arrested Friday only by his initials, S.G.C., in keeping with Aruban law. She said he was born July 21, 1978.
Police arrested him at 6:25 a.m., and were still searching his home several hours later, said police commissioner Jan Van Der Straten.
He said the 26-year-old's name was given by one of the three suspects in custody.
Police are holding Joran Van Der Sloot, 17, Deepak Kalpoe, 21, and his brother Satish Kalpoe, 18. They were arrested June 9.
Holloway was last reported seen around 1:30 a.m. on May 30, when she left the nightclub Carlos'N Charlie's with the three young men.
Authorities have found no trace of her, despite a massive search. (Full story)
No charges have been filed against the three, and defense attorneys for each have said they maintain their innocence.
Prosecutors planned to argue Friday that they need to keep the three in custody for further questioning. Under Aruban law, prosecutors can ask judges to approve three eight-day extensions, followed by one 60-day extension and then one 30-day extension.
Suspects may be held up to 116 days -- and in rare cases even longer -- before formal charges are filed, said prosecutor's spokeswoman Mariaine Croes
On Wednesday, authorities searched Van Der Sloot's home, seizing two cars and removing bagfuls of evidence.
Van Der Sloot's father is awaiting a ruling on his petition to see his son, which is required under Dutch law since Van Der Sloot is a minor. Aruba is part of the Netherlands.
Two hotel guards were arrested early in the investigation, but were released on Monday. They were never charged. (Full story)
CNN's Karl Penhaul contributed to this report.
*This case is looking stranger than ever. I wonder why the Arubian authorities kept arresting people but cannot produce a body. I hope that I'm wrong, but after so many days, there's serious doubt that Ms. Holloway is still alive and well. It could be the case that Arubian investigative techniques are to arrest first and then gather evidence, but the fact that her wherabouts are still unknown is very unsettling.
For the weekend....
I can't say that I've had the best day ever today, I went into work and my co-worker and one of my bosses (both of them males) were displaying a kind of pissy mood, I don't work directly under my boss so my interaction with him is minimal, so I couldn't possibly have done something to him. My co-worker, on the other hand, might have been frustrated with me because our supposedly collective project effort is not so collaborative because none of my project submissions have met his approval, or whatever. We sat in the same office all day not saying much to each other. He's kind of a private guy, former Sgt. First Class, and not a bad guy except when it comes to ass-kissing ( a real important skill if you want to make it in this man's army, and then some.). I realize that I might not have been a really experienced soldier and really knowledgeable in intel. matters, but I am trying. I don't want to confront him, it's not personal, but I certainly hope that he'll soften up a bit, because life's just too short to have PMS!
Tomorrow, I am flying back to Texas to see my folks and check to see how they are doing. My grandpa will be discharged from the hospital earlier tomorrow afternoon and will continue his rehabilitation at home. I am really relieved that he's doing so well now. I still worry though, this is like his 2nd. big close call. My grandma is also suffering from alzheimer's, in the early stages but to the point where her medications are beginning not to help her have clear moments. I have no idea what thngs'll be like when/if she no longer recognizes any of us but I do know that I've got to appreciate the times tha she still does recognize and interacts with us.
Dinner tonight was really disappointing, my GF and I wanted some sea food, so we drove about 40 minutes to this place that we've read about on the internet. The place was supposed to be a Cajun seafood restaurant, but with the Cajun element seriously missing. ( no cracks about the Midwest not anywhere near the ocean!) The veggies were soggy, the bread was cold, and the gumbo was too tasteless to even mention! Bad food can really fuck with my perspectives on life, and we've so far had really bad food in the Midwest. My tastebuds are contemplating suicide, the only saving grace is that the GF is cooking better. When I fly back down to Texas, I am going to bring a whole bunch of take-outs back, stored in tuppeware!
Have a good weekend everyone! Will write more when I get back from Texas! (A pretty darn good state!)
Tomorrow, I am flying back to Texas to see my folks and check to see how they are doing. My grandpa will be discharged from the hospital earlier tomorrow afternoon and will continue his rehabilitation at home. I am really relieved that he's doing so well now. I still worry though, this is like his 2nd. big close call. My grandma is also suffering from alzheimer's, in the early stages but to the point where her medications are beginning not to help her have clear moments. I have no idea what thngs'll be like when/if she no longer recognizes any of us but I do know that I've got to appreciate the times tha she still does recognize and interacts with us.
Dinner tonight was really disappointing, my GF and I wanted some sea food, so we drove about 40 minutes to this place that we've read about on the internet. The place was supposed to be a Cajun seafood restaurant, but with the Cajun element seriously missing. ( no cracks about the Midwest not anywhere near the ocean!) The veggies were soggy, the bread was cold, and the gumbo was too tasteless to even mention! Bad food can really fuck with my perspectives on life, and we've so far had really bad food in the Midwest. My tastebuds are contemplating suicide, the only saving grace is that the GF is cooking better. When I fly back down to Texas, I am going to bring a whole bunch of take-outs back, stored in tuppeware!
Have a good weekend everyone! Will write more when I get back from Texas! (A pretty darn good state!)
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Army Recruitment, or the military recruitment in general.
Read this article, from, of all places, "VH-1.Com":
Army Recruitment Down For Fourth Consecutive Month
Doubling enlistment bonus, raising age limit considered in wake of low numbers.
by Brandee J. Tecson
Army recruiters talk to high school students (file) (Photo: Getty Images)
U.S. Army recruitment numbers were down for the fourth consecutive month in May, and officials said a "monumental effort" will be made to avoid missing the Army's annual target for the first time in six years.
The Department of Defense announced Friday that the Army missed its May goal by 1,600 recruits, nearly 25 percent, despite having lowered the target from 8,050 to 6,700. Meanwhile, the Army Reserve met only 82 percent of its recruitment goal
The Pentagon, which usually issues recruitment figures at the beginning of every month, delayed releasing the May numbers until Friday in order to minimize the media glare on the Army's recent recruiting shortfalls, according to sources quoted in The New York Times.
"It is indeed going to be a push to make up the shortfalls [we have] before the end of the fiscal year, but we are going to do everything we can [to meet the target]," said Douglas Smith, a public affairs officer for U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
The Pentagon is considering asking Congress to double the enlistment bonus from $20,000 to $40,000 and to raise the age limit for active-duty service personnel from 35 to 40. "Today's 40-year-old may no longer be old," Smith said. "People are in a lot better shape now than in the past."
The Army is also looking to boost enlistment with a new benefit that will help soldiers purchase homes. The pilot program would pay up to $50,000 in mortgage costs for recruits who enlist for eight years of duty.
Along with adding more than 1,000 recruiters, the Army launched a new ad campaign in April targeting prospective student recruits and their parents. Instead of using images of war and combat, the new Army ads, with names like "Smart Guy" and "Good Training," emphasize educational and personal-growth opportunities. Some ads specifically target Latinos and include the tagline "Yo Soy El Army" ("I Am the Army").
The Army has received widespread criticism lately about overly aggressive recruiting tactics. A one-day "stand down" was held last month in response to the claims (see "Army Has One-Day 'Stand Down' To Focus On Recruiting Tactics").
There is also a growing number of counter-recruitment efforts emerging on high school and college campuses (see "U.S. Army Misses Enlistment Goal, Counter-Recruitment Efforts Rise"), but Smith said the Army is not concerned with the demonstrations. "We defend America and all its freedoms, and freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental," he said. "As long as we are able to speak to students, we're not going to complain about others who may [also] speak to them."
Bill Carr, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, said he's optimistic that recruiting will pick up in the summer, when recent high school graduates filter into recruiting stations. Compared to the traditionally slow spring recruiting season, "summer is an enormously more favorable environment," he said.
I am not sure if anyone really realizes how many people already knows someone who has served, got their marriages and bodies screwed through service in the armed forces, or more recently, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a Sgt. who works in my office who had gotten his right arm blown off when he was in Iraq. Sometimes, it doesn't even really take someone saying anything negative about the military to sway people away from the military, people can see and read things.
I'm not exactly sure if all the lures of more enlistment bonus money or even newer slogans will help out with the recruitment effort much. Most know that bonus money are usually taxed and even if you get the full payment, it would amount to less than half of the proposed pay-out.
I can't believe that I'm suggesting this, but how about a mandatory 2 year military commitment after graduation from high school? With the only exemption being those who are handicapped mentally/physically? You can't make the military sound like something that it's not in order to attract people. There's an imbalance here, a strong country should have the most well-staffed and the best military forces in the world. Still being a reservist myself, I know how low on personnel the military is right now. Some of the senior ranking personnels cannot retire because there are very few people to replace them, and there's also a shortage of junior ranking personnels (enlisted and commissioned). You end up sending the same people back to Iraq and Afghanistan, burning them out in the process.
I think the 2-3 year mandatory military service policy is being practiced in various parts of the world. In my plan, after the two-year service concludes, you can either opt to get out of military service, and go home with educational assistance that's guranteed for you if you want to go to college or trade school. If you opt to stay in the military, you can but you must at least complete an associate's degree while you are in, and the military will help you with it... so when you get out, you'll know more than handling a weapon and drive a tank.
Military service is not made for everyone, but I think some structure and familiarization with work ethics and physical/mental dicipline are something that every 18 year-olds should at least know something about.
Army Recruitment Down For Fourth Consecutive Month
Doubling enlistment bonus, raising age limit considered in wake of low numbers.
by Brandee J. Tecson
Army recruiters talk to high school students (file) (Photo: Getty Images)
U.S. Army recruitment numbers were down for the fourth consecutive month in May, and officials said a "monumental effort" will be made to avoid missing the Army's annual target for the first time in six years.
The Department of Defense announced Friday that the Army missed its May goal by 1,600 recruits, nearly 25 percent, despite having lowered the target from 8,050 to 6,700. Meanwhile, the Army Reserve met only 82 percent of its recruitment goal
The Pentagon, which usually issues recruitment figures at the beginning of every month, delayed releasing the May numbers until Friday in order to minimize the media glare on the Army's recent recruiting shortfalls, according to sources quoted in The New York Times.
"It is indeed going to be a push to make up the shortfalls [we have] before the end of the fiscal year, but we are going to do everything we can [to meet the target]," said Douglas Smith, a public affairs officer for U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
The Pentagon is considering asking Congress to double the enlistment bonus from $20,000 to $40,000 and to raise the age limit for active-duty service personnel from 35 to 40. "Today's 40-year-old may no longer be old," Smith said. "People are in a lot better shape now than in the past."
The Army is also looking to boost enlistment with a new benefit that will help soldiers purchase homes. The pilot program would pay up to $50,000 in mortgage costs for recruits who enlist for eight years of duty.
Along with adding more than 1,000 recruiters, the Army launched a new ad campaign in April targeting prospective student recruits and their parents. Instead of using images of war and combat, the new Army ads, with names like "Smart Guy" and "Good Training," emphasize educational and personal-growth opportunities. Some ads specifically target Latinos and include the tagline "Yo Soy El Army" ("I Am the Army").
The Army has received widespread criticism lately about overly aggressive recruiting tactics. A one-day "stand down" was held last month in response to the claims (see "Army Has One-Day 'Stand Down' To Focus On Recruiting Tactics").
There is also a growing number of counter-recruitment efforts emerging on high school and college campuses (see "U.S. Army Misses Enlistment Goal, Counter-Recruitment Efforts Rise"), but Smith said the Army is not concerned with the demonstrations. "We defend America and all its freedoms, and freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental," he said. "As long as we are able to speak to students, we're not going to complain about others who may [also] speak to them."
Bill Carr, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, said he's optimistic that recruiting will pick up in the summer, when recent high school graduates filter into recruiting stations. Compared to the traditionally slow spring recruiting season, "summer is an enormously more favorable environment," he said.
I am not sure if anyone really realizes how many people already knows someone who has served, got their marriages and bodies screwed through service in the armed forces, or more recently, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a Sgt. who works in my office who had gotten his right arm blown off when he was in Iraq. Sometimes, it doesn't even really take someone saying anything negative about the military to sway people away from the military, people can see and read things.
I'm not exactly sure if all the lures of more enlistment bonus money or even newer slogans will help out with the recruitment effort much. Most know that bonus money are usually taxed and even if you get the full payment, it would amount to less than half of the proposed pay-out.
I can't believe that I'm suggesting this, but how about a mandatory 2 year military commitment after graduation from high school? With the only exemption being those who are handicapped mentally/physically? You can't make the military sound like something that it's not in order to attract people. There's an imbalance here, a strong country should have the most well-staffed and the best military forces in the world. Still being a reservist myself, I know how low on personnel the military is right now. Some of the senior ranking personnels cannot retire because there are very few people to replace them, and there's also a shortage of junior ranking personnels (enlisted and commissioned). You end up sending the same people back to Iraq and Afghanistan, burning them out in the process.
I think the 2-3 year mandatory military service policy is being practiced in various parts of the world. In my plan, after the two-year service concludes, you can either opt to get out of military service, and go home with educational assistance that's guranteed for you if you want to go to college or trade school. If you opt to stay in the military, you can but you must at least complete an associate's degree while you are in, and the military will help you with it... so when you get out, you'll know more than handling a weapon and drive a tank.
Military service is not made for everyone, but I think some structure and familiarization with work ethics and physical/mental dicipline are something that every 18 year-olds should at least know something about.
World on fire by Sarah McLachlan
How true.....
World On Fire
The worlds on fire its more then I can handle
Ill tap into the water try and bring my share
Try to bring more, more then I can handle
Bring it to the table
Bring what I am able
Hearts are worn in these dark ages
Youre not alone in these stories pages
The light has fallen amongst the living and the dying
And Ill try to hold it in
Yeah Ill try to hold it in
Chorus
I watch the heavens but I find no calling
Something I can do to change whats coming
Stay close to me while the skys falling
I dont wanna be left alone dont wanna be alone
Chorus
Hearts break hearts mend love still hurts
Visions clash planes crash still theres talk of
saving souls still colds closing in on us
We part the veil on our killer sun
Stray from the straight line on this short run
The more we take the less we become
The fortune of one man means less for some
Chorus
World On Fire
The worlds on fire its more then I can handle
Ill tap into the water try and bring my share
Try to bring more, more then I can handle
Bring it to the table
Bring what I am able
Hearts are worn in these dark ages
Youre not alone in these stories pages
The light has fallen amongst the living and the dying
And Ill try to hold it in
Yeah Ill try to hold it in
Chorus
I watch the heavens but I find no calling
Something I can do to change whats coming
Stay close to me while the skys falling
I dont wanna be left alone dont wanna be alone
Chorus
Hearts break hearts mend love still hurts
Visions clash planes crash still theres talk of
saving souls still colds closing in on us
We part the veil on our killer sun
Stray from the straight line on this short run
The more we take the less we become
The fortune of one man means less for some
Chorus
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
If I was interviewed on the Actor's Studio show....
I'd answer to James Lipton...
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD?
-Journey.
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE WORD?
-Apathy.
WHAT TURNS YOU ON?
-Scents.
WHAT TURNS YOU OFF?
-Standoffishness.
WHAT SOUNDS DO YOU LOVE?
-My dog slurping water.
(There's another sound but I can't mention it because it would make the show not so family-friendly, but it has to do with why I call my GF "The PQ"!)
WHAT SOUND DO YOU HATE?
-Mortar rounds flying.
WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOURS WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT?
-A veternarian.
WHAT PROFESSION WOULD YOU NOT LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN?
-Personal injury lawyer.
IF HEAVEN EXISTS, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR GOD SAY WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PEARLY GATE?
-Welcome home, your family and friends are waiting for you at the multi-ethnic buffett table!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD?
-Journey.
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE WORD?
-Apathy.
WHAT TURNS YOU ON?
-Scents.
WHAT TURNS YOU OFF?
-Standoffishness.
WHAT SOUNDS DO YOU LOVE?
-My dog slurping water.
(There's another sound but I can't mention it because it would make the show not so family-friendly, but it has to do with why I call my GF "The PQ"!)
WHAT SOUND DO YOU HATE?
-Mortar rounds flying.
WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOURS WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT?
-A veternarian.
WHAT PROFESSION WOULD YOU NOT LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN?
-Personal injury lawyer.
IF HEAVEN EXISTS, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR GOD SAY WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PEARLY GATE?
-Welcome home, your family and friends are waiting for you at the multi-ethnic buffett table!
Monday, June 13, 2005
A few things.....
Things between the GF and I are better, thanks for those of you who might have been concerned. She and I both go through these periods of dark moods, sometimes at the same time and other times, not so much.
That's part of the art of being with someone, you try to live with and accomodate with each other's nasty habits and personality faults. She is really worried for the nephew and the rest of her family, and rightfully so.
I need to explain a bit further, about why I felt the way that I felt about my roomie from Iraq. I realized that I was being kind of vague. Let me divulge one detail in the conversation. She (the old roomie) had mentioned that she had received some kind of explicit (I am presuming sexually) e-amil from some guy from her unit. She commented on how inappropriate it was (which I don't happen to disagree with.), and that heat/war environment just makes people get crazy in the head. She was talking as if she didn't experience it herself. Not to say that I was being angelic while I was over there, but I didn't exactly try to change or convince myself that the history was different. Overall, I asked myself "who is this person sitting in front of me?" Maybe I really never knew her at all, that's certainly a possibility.
This made me think of that song "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, part of the lyrics goes like this....
"Tell me
Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're
Acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated
Life's like this, you
And you fall and you crawl
And you break and you take
What you get and you turn it into
Honesty Promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it...."
In other news, it seems like the folks at "Hollywood Reporter" are reporting on how Mr. Tom Cruise has lost the PR war. The link is here:
http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=peopleNews&storyID=8765884
Looks like I'm not the only one who felt this way about Mr. Cruise.
That's part of the art of being with someone, you try to live with and accomodate with each other's nasty habits and personality faults. She is really worried for the nephew and the rest of her family, and rightfully so.
I need to explain a bit further, about why I felt the way that I felt about my roomie from Iraq. I realized that I was being kind of vague. Let me divulge one detail in the conversation. She (the old roomie) had mentioned that she had received some kind of explicit (I am presuming sexually) e-amil from some guy from her unit. She commented on how inappropriate it was (which I don't happen to disagree with.), and that heat/war environment just makes people get crazy in the head. She was talking as if she didn't experience it herself. Not to say that I was being angelic while I was over there, but I didn't exactly try to change or convince myself that the history was different. Overall, I asked myself "who is this person sitting in front of me?" Maybe I really never knew her at all, that's certainly a possibility.
This made me think of that song "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, part of the lyrics goes like this....
"Tell me
Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're
Acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated
Life's like this, you
And you fall and you crawl
And you break and you take
What you get and you turn it into
Honesty Promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it...."
In other news, it seems like the folks at "Hollywood Reporter" are reporting on how Mr. Tom Cruise has lost the PR war. The link is here:
http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=peopleNews&storyID=8765884
Looks like I'm not the only one who felt this way about Mr. Cruise.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Rain, rain go away.....
I think the weather pattern in the Mo./Kan. area have been and will be as follows: Windy, rain, tornados, lots of tornado and severe storm warnings, followed by intermittent periods of extreme sunshine and warm temperature.
I smoked a cigar last night and got sick,and I thought that I could handle it. I felt nauseated and got just a wee bit smarter about it. I don't usually smoke, but every once in a while, I do smoke a little. If you gave me a pack of cigarettes, it'll still be mostly unsmoked for months.
The GF got a phone call this morning from her mom, and it seems like the custody issue of the nephew has taken on a nasty turn, depending on how it goes, the grandparents might have to sue for the kid's custody. The nephew is the cutest kid and has all sorts of potentials, and we love to take him out to the parks and just to play/interact with him whenever we could. It's such a pity that his folks are going through such hard time. I don't think the GF's too happy about it either.
Got a call from my old roomie from Iraq, she moved to the Southern portion of these United States, and she came to the KC area for her last army reserves drill. She asked if we wanted to get together for lunch before she goes back to her new abode, I agreed, a bit reluctantly, for obvious reasons, but I thought that it would be nice to see her for maybe once more, before both of our lives move on to way different paths. The lunch was alright, we've chit chatted about some past events, some present ones, and some things in-between. I've got to say that I really envy how she remembers things differently and how she also uses that to her advantage. To each his/her own, I guess, and we all try to do what we can to get by.
Things are not cool today between the GF and I, maybe that's why I felt that hint of bitterness towards the old roommate. I hope that things would get better,or maybe the GF is right, I'm not capable of doing anything right, I'm just crawling along in life.
I smoked a cigar last night and got sick,and I thought that I could handle it. I felt nauseated and got just a wee bit smarter about it. I don't usually smoke, but every once in a while, I do smoke a little. If you gave me a pack of cigarettes, it'll still be mostly unsmoked for months.
The GF got a phone call this morning from her mom, and it seems like the custody issue of the nephew has taken on a nasty turn, depending on how it goes, the grandparents might have to sue for the kid's custody. The nephew is the cutest kid and has all sorts of potentials, and we love to take him out to the parks and just to play/interact with him whenever we could. It's such a pity that his folks are going through such hard time. I don't think the GF's too happy about it either.
Got a call from my old roomie from Iraq, she moved to the Southern portion of these United States, and she came to the KC area for her last army reserves drill. She asked if we wanted to get together for lunch before she goes back to her new abode, I agreed, a bit reluctantly, for obvious reasons, but I thought that it would be nice to see her for maybe once more, before both of our lives move on to way different paths. The lunch was alright, we've chit chatted about some past events, some present ones, and some things in-between. I've got to say that I really envy how she remembers things differently and how she also uses that to her advantage. To each his/her own, I guess, and we all try to do what we can to get by.
Things are not cool today between the GF and I, maybe that's why I felt that hint of bitterness towards the old roommate. I hope that things would get better,or maybe the GF is right, I'm not capable of doing anything right, I'm just crawling along in life.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Everyone's a little gay....
Thanks to the blog "Just One Bite", I got this article....
Rivals spur men to produce better sperm
15:56 08 June 2005
NewScientist.com news service
Rachel Nowak, Melbourne
Men who view pornographic images of two men and a woman produce better-quality sperm than men viewing pornographic images of just women, an Australian study reveals.
The finding suggests that humans may be capable of subconsciously increasing semen quality when faced with the possibility that their sperm will have to outrun those of other men in a woman’s reproductive tract.
In the study, zoologists Leigh Simmons and Sarah Kilgallon of the University of Western Australia in Perth asked 52 heterosexual men aged between 18 and 35 years to ejaculate into a container after viewing the two types of image.
The volunteers had previously abstained from sexual activity for two to six days. In samples from men who viewed the images containing the two men and a woman - the “sperm-competition” images - 52% of the sperm were motile. This compared with 49% sperm motility in the men who viewed the images of women only – a difference that was statistically significant after taking into account lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.
But there was also a seemingly contradictory finding. Men who viewed the sperm-competition images had fewer sperm in their ejaculate: 61 million per millilitre compared to 77 million per millilitre for the men who viewed the female-only images. More studies are needed to explain this finding.
Rapid response
“It’s a fascinating study. The effect is obviously immediate. This suggests that something [in the body] can be adjusted very, very quickly,” says Jon Evans of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, who studies sperm competition in guppy fish.
The findings might suggest ways to improve the quality of sperm during fertility treatment.
The postcoital struggle between sperm is well known in species in which females may mate with more than one partner. For example, male chickens allocate more sperm to an attractive hen with a large comb than an unattractive one, upping the chances that one of their sperm will get to the egg before those of other contenders. Bulls and boars used for artificial insemination by the farming industry produce better-quality semen if they are allowed to view other animals mating.
However, Simmons is not suggesting that humans regularly indulge in multiple matings. “We need to step away from that in 2005. The risk of sperm competition is very low nowadays, but in the lineage of primates that resulted in humans there was probably sperm competition,” he says
Previous studies have found that men who look at pornographic images depicting groups prefer the sorts of sperm-competition images used in the current study. Men may simply have evolved to find them more erotic so that they can respond appropriately to sperm competition, says Simmons.
The study, which examined the role of lifestyle factors, also suggested that carrying cellphones might be associated with lower sperm counts and a lower percentage of motile sperm. But previous studies in this area have been equivocal.
Journal reference: Biology Letters (doi:10.1098/rsbl.2005.0324)
I think, if I'm not mistaken, I've also read reports that women get just as turned-on looking at images or films of lesbian encounters, even though some might not care to admit it, their measured physiological responses said the opposite.
Rivals spur men to produce better sperm
15:56 08 June 2005
NewScientist.com news service
Rachel Nowak, Melbourne
Men who view pornographic images of two men and a woman produce better-quality sperm than men viewing pornographic images of just women, an Australian study reveals.
The finding suggests that humans may be capable of subconsciously increasing semen quality when faced with the possibility that their sperm will have to outrun those of other men in a woman’s reproductive tract.
In the study, zoologists Leigh Simmons and Sarah Kilgallon of the University of Western Australia in Perth asked 52 heterosexual men aged between 18 and 35 years to ejaculate into a container after viewing the two types of image.
The volunteers had previously abstained from sexual activity for two to six days. In samples from men who viewed the images containing the two men and a woman - the “sperm-competition” images - 52% of the sperm were motile. This compared with 49% sperm motility in the men who viewed the images of women only – a difference that was statistically significant after taking into account lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.
But there was also a seemingly contradictory finding. Men who viewed the sperm-competition images had fewer sperm in their ejaculate: 61 million per millilitre compared to 77 million per millilitre for the men who viewed the female-only images. More studies are needed to explain this finding.
Rapid response
“It’s a fascinating study. The effect is obviously immediate. This suggests that something [in the body] can be adjusted very, very quickly,” says Jon Evans of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, who studies sperm competition in guppy fish.
The findings might suggest ways to improve the quality of sperm during fertility treatment.
The postcoital struggle between sperm is well known in species in which females may mate with more than one partner. For example, male chickens allocate more sperm to an attractive hen with a large comb than an unattractive one, upping the chances that one of their sperm will get to the egg before those of other contenders. Bulls and boars used for artificial insemination by the farming industry produce better-quality semen if they are allowed to view other animals mating.
However, Simmons is not suggesting that humans regularly indulge in multiple matings. “We need to step away from that in 2005. The risk of sperm competition is very low nowadays, but in the lineage of primates that resulted in humans there was probably sperm competition,” he says
Previous studies have found that men who look at pornographic images depicting groups prefer the sorts of sperm-competition images used in the current study. Men may simply have evolved to find them more erotic so that they can respond appropriately to sperm competition, says Simmons.
The study, which examined the role of lifestyle factors, also suggested that carrying cellphones might be associated with lower sperm counts and a lower percentage of motile sperm. But previous studies in this area have been equivocal.
Journal reference: Biology Letters (doi:10.1098/rsbl.2005.0324)
I think, if I'm not mistaken, I've also read reports that women get just as turned-on looking at images or films of lesbian encounters, even though some might not care to admit it, their measured physiological responses said the opposite.
Wow!
Apparantly, I was not alone in my feelings about Tom and Katie....
http://www.freekatie.net/
"join the movement to liberate Katie, a young, gifted, actress held captive by forces we may never understand...."
"Don't turn away. Your indifference makes you part of the problem. Talk to your children, join in community support groups.."
They are even selling tee shirts and buttons!
http://www.cafepress.com/mccam.22973403
http://www.freekatie.net/
"join the movement to liberate Katie, a young, gifted, actress held captive by forces we may never understand...."
"Don't turn away. Your indifference makes you part of the problem. Talk to your children, join in community support groups.."
They are even selling tee shirts and buttons!
http://www.cafepress.com/mccam.22973403
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Real World Austin and other tangents
Right before turning in for the night, the GF and I watched the "Real World Austin" preview, and looking at some of the footages, made us miss Austin a lot. I can't say that I'm a fan of the series, but I did enjoy watching it when it first started about 10 some odd years ago. At that time, it was original and even at some points, thought-provoking.
Now, we've got reality shows seeping out of every orifices and the scenarios are just not as interesting anymore. I'm sure that "Real World Austin" will also have its fair shares of racial tension, drunken parties, and lesbian kisses. Still cannot believe that we were residents of that city, up to about two months ago!
There will be a castemember, Rachel, I think that's her name, who was a combat nurse and like yours truly, did her time in the sandbox. In her intro, she stated that she was caught having sex with her current boyfriend "mid-thrust" while in Iraq. I thought that was refreshing, maybe not the kind of representation that the armed forces wanted to have for someone like her, but let's get real here, there are a lot of hot-blooded, young and horny servicemembers out there. (There are also a lot of servicemembers who are of the oppposite.)
I thought about writing to MTV to have them make something like "Real World Iraq", about what people do when they are in and out of the uniform, but kind of figured out that it would get A LOT of people in trouble, so I had to shelve that in the backcorner of my mind.
I'd like to see someone like Oprah out in the field, taking a team of massage therapists and makeover specialists to make over the soldiers. How about "Queer Eye for the captain"? I almost burst into tears of inspiration when Emril Lagasse cooked for the troops! (Okay, he cooked for some of the air force folks stationed STATESIDE and not out in the sandbox, but still....)
Now, we've got reality shows seeping out of every orifices and the scenarios are just not as interesting anymore. I'm sure that "Real World Austin" will also have its fair shares of racial tension, drunken parties, and lesbian kisses. Still cannot believe that we were residents of that city, up to about two months ago!
There will be a castemember, Rachel, I think that's her name, who was a combat nurse and like yours truly, did her time in the sandbox. In her intro, she stated that she was caught having sex with her current boyfriend "mid-thrust" while in Iraq. I thought that was refreshing, maybe not the kind of representation that the armed forces wanted to have for someone like her, but let's get real here, there are a lot of hot-blooded, young and horny servicemembers out there. (There are also a lot of servicemembers who are of the oppposite.)
I thought about writing to MTV to have them make something like "Real World Iraq", about what people do when they are in and out of the uniform, but kind of figured out that it would get A LOT of people in trouble, so I had to shelve that in the backcorner of my mind.
I'd like to see someone like Oprah out in the field, taking a team of massage therapists and makeover specialists to make over the soldiers. How about "Queer Eye for the captain"? I almost burst into tears of inspiration when Emril Lagasse cooked for the troops! (Okay, he cooked for some of the air force folks stationed STATESIDE and not out in the sandbox, but still....)
I wonder...
I read this post on cnn.com,
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Women who have difficulty reaching orgasm can blame it on their genes.
Like heart disease, anxiety and depression, scientists discovered in a study of 1,397 pairs of female twins that there is a genetic basis to female orgasm.
"We found that between 34 percent and 45 percent of the variation in ability to orgasm can be explained by underlying genetic variation," said Tim Spector, of the Twin Research Unit at St Thomas' Hospital in London.
"There is a biological underlying influence that can't be attributed purely to upbringing, religion or race."
Other studies have attributed differences in the ability to achieve orgasm to cultural, religious and psychological factors.
Between 12 to 15 percent of women don't have orgasms compared to about 2 percent of men. Males are also quicker at 2.5 minutes, while the average time it takes for a woman to reach orgasm is 12 minutes, according to Spector.
"Why is there this biological difference between the sexes? The fact that some of this is heritable suggests that evolution has a role," he told a news conference.
Spector suggested reaching an orgasm could be a way for women to assess whether a man would make a good long-term partner. It may also increase fertility, according to some theories.
In a study of identical and non-identical twins published on Wednesday in the journal Biology Letters, Spector and his team found huge variations when they surveyed them about sexual problems.
One in three women, or 32 percent, said they never or infrequently had an orgasm. But 14 percent said they always had an orgasm during intercourse.
"More women were able to orgasm during masturbation, with 34 percent always reaching orgasm," the researchers said in the journal.
The frequency of orgasm was higher for identical twins with a partner and by themselves which suggests a clear genetic impact, said Spector.
"There is something biological that explains some of this large variation between women," he said, adding that many genes could be involved.
If scientists could discover which genes and how they function, it could potentially pave the way for future therapies to treat women who cannot reach orgasm.
But Spector said orgasm is a very complex process which is poorly understood. Little research has been done because it is still a taboo subject.
Anatomical and biological features and psychological factors may all play a part.
....So, what does that say about the females who just cannot reach orgasm whatsoever? Does that mean that they were just naturally selected as not likely candidate for not having offsprings? I know that I'm putting it in too general of terms, but y'all know what I mean by that.
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Women who have difficulty reaching orgasm can blame it on their genes.
Like heart disease, anxiety and depression, scientists discovered in a study of 1,397 pairs of female twins that there is a genetic basis to female orgasm.
"We found that between 34 percent and 45 percent of the variation in ability to orgasm can be explained by underlying genetic variation," said Tim Spector, of the Twin Research Unit at St Thomas' Hospital in London.
"There is a biological underlying influence that can't be attributed purely to upbringing, religion or race."
Other studies have attributed differences in the ability to achieve orgasm to cultural, religious and psychological factors.
Between 12 to 15 percent of women don't have orgasms compared to about 2 percent of men. Males are also quicker at 2.5 minutes, while the average time it takes for a woman to reach orgasm is 12 minutes, according to Spector.
"Why is there this biological difference between the sexes? The fact that some of this is heritable suggests that evolution has a role," he told a news conference.
Spector suggested reaching an orgasm could be a way for women to assess whether a man would make a good long-term partner. It may also increase fertility, according to some theories.
In a study of identical and non-identical twins published on Wednesday in the journal Biology Letters, Spector and his team found huge variations when they surveyed them about sexual problems.
One in three women, or 32 percent, said they never or infrequently had an orgasm. But 14 percent said they always had an orgasm during intercourse.
"More women were able to orgasm during masturbation, with 34 percent always reaching orgasm," the researchers said in the journal.
The frequency of orgasm was higher for identical twins with a partner and by themselves which suggests a clear genetic impact, said Spector.
"There is something biological that explains some of this large variation between women," he said, adding that many genes could be involved.
If scientists could discover which genes and how they function, it could potentially pave the way for future therapies to treat women who cannot reach orgasm.
But Spector said orgasm is a very complex process which is poorly understood. Little research has been done because it is still a taboo subject.
Anatomical and biological features and psychological factors may all play a part.
....So, what does that say about the females who just cannot reach orgasm whatsoever? Does that mean that they were just naturally selected as not likely candidate for not having offsprings? I know that I'm putting it in too general of terms, but y'all know what I mean by that.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Sunday tidbits
Got the appearance of the blog changed a bit, and with GF's help, got a photo of my cat little man on the blog in the place where my picture is supposed to be. I think my cat's so much cuter and definitely more photogenic than I'll ever will be!
I'll try and get some more photos for y'all to look at, adding a bit more color to the whole thing. I also updated the blog links because I read different blogs than the ones that I've started reading a while back. Please go and take a look at them, I think they really have a lot of interesting stuff to say!
Things between my GF and I have been stable, I am glad that in her effort to get a job, she has landed some interviews and even though they're still somewhat of an ongoing thing, I am sure that she has been wowing these perspective employers! I think she'll feel somewhat happier once she finds something to do that she likes. At least it's a way to get to know some people and participate in some functions of the society, even if the people don't end up to be friends.
I think I'm also slowly but surely fitting in the schemes of things at work, even though I still feel like that I've got a steep learning curve ahead of me...I think I'm climbing it at this point.
I'm not thinking about Iraq and the people back there as much now. I don't regret the experience at all, but I sure don't want to go back to Iraq under the circumstance that I've first gone to Iraq with! I really hope that what we've done and what we are doing now are going to help the Iraqis out in the long run, but not having enough understanding of the Middle East, its people and their religions were some of our first mistakes. Misunderstanding just breeds more misunderstandings.
Looks like I'll be in uniform for a while longer than I originally planned, hopefully, I'll do it better this time around.
I learned that relationships are some of the hardest things to better and maintain in this world, but if you really want it to work out, it can work out somehow. Alone time is really important too. I would never rip those who are single as losers, I have more problems with those who thinks that by being in a relationship with a man or a woman would resolve all of their problems, if you are not fine with yourself, then how are you going to be fine with someone else?
My grandfather went from the edge of death to now finally able to speak, take small steps with the help of a walker, and even though he's still somewhat weaker than before he got sick, I thank God that he's still around and I look forward to visiting my grandpa soon!
I learned a lot about faithfulness from interacting and taking care of my pets, and I think us human beings have a lot to learn from them.
Sometimes, I'd miss the friends which I had in the past and not so distant past, and not all of them I've kept in touch with or parted in good ways, but I wish them all well and consider myself quite lucky to have known them, and maybe if luck should have it, they'll be back in my life again.
My GF is one of the cutest and the smartest person that I know. We were at the eye glasses store to look for a pair of new glasses for her, and watching her trying on all the different pairs of glasses got me, frankly, quite tickled! (Too bad she's about to be on the rag.) :-(
I learned that biking is a lot less painful than running, except when you crash.
I am not ashamed of my love for bad music, movies, and fashion!!!
Okay, that's about it for now.
I'll try and get some more photos for y'all to look at, adding a bit more color to the whole thing. I also updated the blog links because I read different blogs than the ones that I've started reading a while back. Please go and take a look at them, I think they really have a lot of interesting stuff to say!
Things between my GF and I have been stable, I am glad that in her effort to get a job, she has landed some interviews and even though they're still somewhat of an ongoing thing, I am sure that she has been wowing these perspective employers! I think she'll feel somewhat happier once she finds something to do that she likes. At least it's a way to get to know some people and participate in some functions of the society, even if the people don't end up to be friends.
I think I'm also slowly but surely fitting in the schemes of things at work, even though I still feel like that I've got a steep learning curve ahead of me...I think I'm climbing it at this point.
I'm not thinking about Iraq and the people back there as much now. I don't regret the experience at all, but I sure don't want to go back to Iraq under the circumstance that I've first gone to Iraq with! I really hope that what we've done and what we are doing now are going to help the Iraqis out in the long run, but not having enough understanding of the Middle East, its people and their religions were some of our first mistakes. Misunderstanding just breeds more misunderstandings.
Looks like I'll be in uniform for a while longer than I originally planned, hopefully, I'll do it better this time around.
I learned that relationships are some of the hardest things to better and maintain in this world, but if you really want it to work out, it can work out somehow. Alone time is really important too. I would never rip those who are single as losers, I have more problems with those who thinks that by being in a relationship with a man or a woman would resolve all of their problems, if you are not fine with yourself, then how are you going to be fine with someone else?
My grandfather went from the edge of death to now finally able to speak, take small steps with the help of a walker, and even though he's still somewhat weaker than before he got sick, I thank God that he's still around and I look forward to visiting my grandpa soon!
I learned a lot about faithfulness from interacting and taking care of my pets, and I think us human beings have a lot to learn from them.
Sometimes, I'd miss the friends which I had in the past and not so distant past, and not all of them I've kept in touch with or parted in good ways, but I wish them all well and consider myself quite lucky to have known them, and maybe if luck should have it, they'll be back in my life again.
My GF is one of the cutest and the smartest person that I know. We were at the eye glasses store to look for a pair of new glasses for her, and watching her trying on all the different pairs of glasses got me, frankly, quite tickled! (Too bad she's about to be on the rag.) :-(
I learned that biking is a lot less painful than running, except when you crash.
I am not ashamed of my love for bad music, movies, and fashion!!!
Okay, that's about it for now.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Saturday
To recap, I ran into a friend of mine yesterday when I was finishing off my day at Ft. Fartknocker, I've not seen him for a while now. We've first met (actually, the GF got to know his wife first) in the blogsphere. During my first days working at the Fort, they've been very nice to me, showing me around the vicinity, and letting me hang out with them from time to time. I guess because of all of us being busy with our jobs and perspective lives, we had not all hung out since the GF and I had moved up here. My friend commented on how weird my blog have gotten, and I have been jumping from one topic to the other. It suits me fine though. I stated this blog not neccessarily to influence others or to make a lot of sense. I don't start the day thinking about what I am going to blog about, rather, I just let it flow, non-profound thoughts and all. Maybe one day when we've got kids and they'll read this and see how random mom was.
Anyways,it was good to see him, maybe one day we'll hang out again.
Today, we went to see a Royals baseball game, and we got lucky because we caught a break in this stomy weather that we've been having. It was Royals vs. the Texas Rangers, and even though the pitchers were sucky at times, the Rangers still managed to win, 14 to 9. The baseball stadium was a bit smaller than the ones that I've been to, but it does the job fine. The snacks were quite expensive but overall, I've had a good time. The GF's commentary on the players, their playing styles and the special guests (brought to you by the fellowship of christian athletes) were great additions to being there!
We came back home to this big storm that scared the heck out of the pets, especially the dog. It's finally over now and he's exhausted, laying on the floor.
Time to tuck in and talk to the GF!
Anyways,it was good to see him, maybe one day we'll hang out again.
Today, we went to see a Royals baseball game, and we got lucky because we caught a break in this stomy weather that we've been having. It was Royals vs. the Texas Rangers, and even though the pitchers were sucky at times, the Rangers still managed to win, 14 to 9. The baseball stadium was a bit smaller than the ones that I've been to, but it does the job fine. The snacks were quite expensive but overall, I've had a good time. The GF's commentary on the players, their playing styles and the special guests (brought to you by the fellowship of christian athletes) were great additions to being there!
We came back home to this big storm that scared the heck out of the pets, especially the dog. It's finally over now and he's exhausted, laying on the floor.
Time to tuck in and talk to the GF!
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Dear Mr. Tom Cruise
Dear Mr. Tom Cruise:
While I cannot say that I am a die-hard fan of yours, I do respect, so far, your body of work overall. After having watched you gush with love for Ms.Katie Holmes on an episode of "Oprah", I have to say that you look like you've lost it.
I'm glad that you seem to have found love with Ms. Holmes, but really, that has got to be the worst acting job ever in the history of film, tv, and theater. I know that your film earnings and popularity might have decreased somewhat after say, like "Jerry McGuire"? I say that who you are going out with and what a romantic you are is just getting way too old. And what is up with your tidbit about giving advice about post partum depression? When was the last time that you've given birth to a baby?
Please, leave the silver screen for a while, do some respectable stage work or something that'll really show how good/bad you are as an actor. Date Miss Holmes, a monkey, a donkey, I don't really care, as long as you are happy and I don't really have to see that bad acting job like you've done on "Oprah".
Thanks,
Someone who's still trying to have a thread of respect for you....
While I cannot say that I am a die-hard fan of yours, I do respect, so far, your body of work overall. After having watched you gush with love for Ms.Katie Holmes on an episode of "Oprah", I have to say that you look like you've lost it.
I'm glad that you seem to have found love with Ms. Holmes, but really, that has got to be the worst acting job ever in the history of film, tv, and theater. I know that your film earnings and popularity might have decreased somewhat after say, like "Jerry McGuire"? I say that who you are going out with and what a romantic you are is just getting way too old. And what is up with your tidbit about giving advice about post partum depression? When was the last time that you've given birth to a baby?
Please, leave the silver screen for a while, do some respectable stage work or something that'll really show how good/bad you are as an actor. Date Miss Holmes, a monkey, a donkey, I don't really care, as long as you are happy and I don't really have to see that bad acting job like you've done on "Oprah".
Thanks,
Someone who's still trying to have a thread of respect for you....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
