Livejournal

risawn @ 2009-11-07T12:10:00

2009-11-07T17:11:15Z

Just a quick Q? who's doing NanoWriMo this year? Anybody?

I got off to a late start (started yesterday) but I think I'm in manageable territory. I've already caught up to where the goal is.

And tomorrow, well, I have to go back to work. *sighs*

Oh, bytheway, back from my vacation and am at 41 states visited thus far.

risawn @ 2009-10-21T21:42:00

2009-10-22T01:55:53Z

Still moving about the country. I have now officially been to all states in the North East. I'll knock off two more states on my 'to visit' list and possibly Alabama as well. Not sure if I'll make it there or not, even just to drive through to say 'i've been there'.

Currently in DC. Yesterday I was in New York, and New York was awesome like it always is. One of these days I'm going to talk somebody into going there with me and I'll leave my car at home and live in hostels and travel by subway. I have discovered that Philadelphia is a neat and historic place to visit, but you must visit early and don't think about driving otherwise. Glad I visited already last year because I was getting a little frustrated by the parking dilemma.

I went to my first Broadway Play and discovered the appeal of theater, if you ever get a chance to see Wicked, it is mucho awesome and highly recommended. By fluke, I signed up for the Lottery for a chance to win front row tickets (they give out 26 for each performance) and managed to get the last ticket. Incredible play.

Tomorrow, and possibly the next day, I'm in DC. Now I have to figure out what I want to do, or maybe I'll take my camera and get some shots of me in the capital. As long as there are no protests going on, I'll keep it nearby and get some neat background pics. Yep, it's decided.

After I visit the Museum of American History. Anybody else have any other recommendations?

risawn @ 2009-10-16T22:52:00

2009-10-17T02:56:19Z

I am currently in Maine. The furthest state I think I can possibly be in from home and still be in the lower 48.

This brings my state count to 35 I think. It should be at 38 or something when this is all said and done. Looks like I'll be doing another one of those 'visited state maps' again or something.

Er, that is all.

Also, just realized while on this trip, life is awesome. Sometimes you get caught up in stuff and you forget this simple detail. Listening to Modest Mouse's Float On is a great song for just letting things go and moving on with things. It all works out in the end and you can't spend your life worrying about the small stuff, and in the grand scheme of things, its all small stuff.

Also, visited the Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory in Vermont (I love this state!), which that seems to be their motto for life.

That is all for now. Maybe I'll update later.

risawn @ 2009-10-10T15:03:00

2009-10-10T19:05:15Z

Quick, give me bands,I need roadtrip music!

risawn @ 2009-10-09T15:37:00

2009-10-09T19:39:54Z

I'm going on a road trip to New England.

And then I'm shooting down to Florida. I just made out like a fat cat on free tickets to theme parks in Orlando.

Yeah, THOSE Themeparks. Disney World and Universal Studios.

And the Kennedy Space Station.

There are benefits to this whole military thing sometimes. I only regret I don't have somebody to go with.

(This trip is going to leave me exhausted and BROKE!)

No, Really??

2009-10-07T08:33:31Z

Really, to give you an idea of the genius that surrounds me at times. Granted, it's a blank, but still, you think most people can figure out which end goes which way, or maybe they should stay away from guns?

in other news - I am still trying to figure out how to upload pictures from my phone to my lj account. So far little success.

I can at least EMAIL pictures to me.

risawn @ 2009-10-07T00:06:00

2009-10-07T04:13:43Z

So, where did I leave off last?

Yeah, something about being in cycle, pushing troops, yelling a lot, something along those lines, right?

I think I'm a bit of a softie at heart. But the Joes seem to get me when I tell them I want to kick them in the head that I really don't mean it. Only figuratively of course. Though sometimes ninja kicking their faces off sounds so damn appealing.

So anyway, I'm supposed to go on Leave on Friday (that's a military vacation for those of you not in the know) and I'm still kind of hung up on whether I want to go North or South. North is cool, I can see places in DC and NYC I missed last year, plus Niagara Falls and all that jazz, whereas the South has, well, Disney World. For free. I could spend all my time in Florida and blow my entire bank account in the process. I'm truly seeking to avoid that.

But Leave is still up in the air apparently. However, before I go on Leave, I have on very important thing to keep in mind. My commander still has to sign off on it. It might get delayed too (I'm ok with it getting delayed, I'm uber flexible) but in the meantime, well, The Machine Gun Shoot! There will be Machine Guns there! Fully automatic death machines! Pure Awesomeness!

Some people call me a little crazy. What can I say? I'm a drill sergeant. I LIKE guns, otherwise this would not be a good career field for me.

risawn @ 2009-09-06T15:32:00

2009-09-06T19:33:11Z

Is Using A Minotaur To Gore Detainees A Form Of Torture?

risawn @ 2009-09-06T12:10:00

2009-09-06T16:17:27Z

So you may have heard, Obama intends to address the youth of our nation on Tuesday. While there appears to be some logistical errors involved in this address happening on September 8th, such as many school districts not being in school at that time, there is some growing concern on the Right on Obama addressing the Youth.

To which I have to admit, coming from a person who is not the biggest fan of the current administration, appears to be a little bit on the paranoid side.

I actually blogged about it here.

There are a lot of things I disagree with on Obama, but I'm going to wait until i hear the message before I disagree on this. Besides, at first look, if Obama stays on message, this is something I can agree with him on. What's so wrong with asking students to take responsibility for their education?

Thoughts?

More Racism Allegory on Obama as Joker Theme

2009-08-06T14:21:04Z

WA Post puts in their own thoughts, see racism as principle motive

How are we ever going to get past this race issue when any sign of criticism of a person is immediately assumed to be racist in nature if that person is black? Give me a break. Read my previous post for more info on my thoughts on this.

I think I want a t-shirt now. Because i'm apparently Racist.

Race relations have gotten worse under Obama, not better, because people think they have to walk on egg shells in case they say the wrong thing and offend somebody.

On Race and Criticism

2009-08-05T01:25:42Z

So, apparently it's gone viral, but have you seen the Obama as Joker Posters?

There is some apparent Outrage over this, as how dare anybody display Obama as this?

Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson is calling the depiction, politically mean spirited and dangerous.

Politically mean spirited? I don't care what your politics are, but this ain't nothing compared to what people did to Bush for 8 years, which also included depicting him as the Joker. "But Bush was a horrible president and deserved it" you might say. Politics is dirty business, if you can't handle the heat stay out of it. I'm not a huge Bush fan, but the man had class when it came to people criticizing him.

Besides, there are plenty of people, myself included, who do not see Obama as being a great president, and in fact so far this term I have seen very little that he has done that I agree with. But then again, I'm a fiscal conservative, and Obama is the extreme opposite of what I believe in his tax and spend policies that has put us further into debt then the last 42 Presidents combined (Yes, 42, one president served two non-consecutive terms). I'm extremely skeptical. So I look at this and shrug. 'Eh'. Somebody's poking fun at Obama. Oh well, that's politics.

But then, there are people pulling the race card. Yes, how dare you criticize the president in such a matter, it means you're RACIST!!! As LA Weekly puts it, "The only thing missing is a noose."

I could care less what race Obama happens to be, and in fact haven't cared at all during the entire election, I judge a person by the content of their policies and their actions, if they happen to be Black, White, Latino, Asian, or Martian, I could care less as long as their policies and ideas are largely in sync with mine. Unfortunately, there were a good deal of people who voted for Obama because he talked a good talk and he happens to be a minority so they can feel good about themselves for voting for somebody who is not white. What a crappy reason to vote for anybody in my opinion. It's also a crappy reason NOT to vote for somebody. In turn, I am critical of Obama's policies, as many people in this nation are, as his popularity continues to spiral more and more downward.

But because somebody is critical of Obama's policies, you can't create posters of him criticizing him on those policies because they might be construed as Racist? How is this poster racist anyway? So much for public healing on Race relations. If people would stop seeing people by the color of their skin and getting a knee jerk reaction of decrying any criticism of Obama as being race related (as Janeane Gerofello describes Tea Partiers) and instead considered judging people by their actions and as some famous guy once said, 'by the content of their character', maybe we will actually get some racial healing done.

Sure, some critics are indeed racist, but I think a large percentage of people are just fed up with the mantra of Hope and Change when its turning out to be anything but. But I never really held out much optimism when Obama was elected. I know a tax and spend liberal when I see one.

If you agree with Obama and his policies, then that's awesome for you. To each their own. However, considering the state of the nation over the last eight years and how the office of President was treated, I would think twice before condemning things like this at the expense of Obama unless you were equally disgusted when the same thing happened to Bush, whether you agreed with his policies or not.

That's just my two cents.

risawn @ 2009-07-19T10:36:00

2009-07-19T17:53:14Z

Yesterday a pimp tried to sell me for a bowl of rice to a bunch of Soldiers.

So, for those who don't know, I'm currently in Fort Lewis, WA performing an OPFOR mission for ROTC. OPFOR is Opposing Forces. It is amusing at times.

We also sometimes do NIGHTOPS, where we go out and either probe the perimeter by sneaking up on them and firing on them, or else do the COB mission (Civilians on the Battlefield).

There are two guys and me doing this mission, and we walk up in what civilian attire we have. We are part of this made up nation called Palomas which is very chauvanistic and treats women poorly so we play on that. One of the officers plays a police officer, another plays my pimp and I'm a prostitute. And apparently not a very good one. The enemy is considered to be the CVG, which is basically an army uniform with a black top.

We wander into their patrol camp looking for help, because my pimp sold me to the CVG for services and I was 'No Good'. The CVG are angry and are seeking retaliation, so we have come to the Americans seeking help. I just sit there and whimper and don't say much, my pimp tries to trade me for one of the female cadets, and the Police man is trying to take charge of the situation and every time a female soldier tries to talk to him (one was playing Platoon Leader at the time and he refused to talk to her) he would get arrogant and dismissive and demand to speak to the 'Cap-e-Tan'.

Meanwhile, my pimp tries to sell me for a soldier that looks like a young boy, I'm trying to be fed cookies while I reach out and try to grab things off of the cadet's uniform, and the policeman is yelling that everyone is No Good and demands to speak to an authority figure. My pimp downgrades his offer to a goat, then a chicken, until he settles on a bowl of rice (and some of the cadets appeared to be considering it). I start screaming and eventually have to be bound and gagged, and then the patrol base gets mortored. Eventually they do get me to talk, only I'm ignorant and insist on asking people if they 'want good time' and any question asked of me i answer "me no know".

It was actually quite amusing at the time, except for the mosquitoes and the fact that the guys seemed to have all the fun at my expense. More night missions tonight, but frankly, it's a lot more fun to probe their patrol base with a 240B Machine Gun.

risawn @ 2009-06-27T18:37:00

2009-06-28T01:43:14Z

Cadets look a lot like Privates. In that, they have no rank. And they are very tempting to chew out. Must refrain. . .

In other words, I an currently in Ft Lewis, WA on TDY playing OPFOR (thats the bad guy) to a bunch of cadets. They come, find me, I shoot at them, I die. Repeat every two hours, six times a day for the next four weeks.

Why did they need Drill Sergeants to do this mission? That is the big question. They pulled DS's from Knox, Benning and Sill to do this mission which can be done by a couple privates with M16s.

But I do get to hang out in the middle of the woods in a tent when between deaths, so I've stocked up on a lot of movies and reading materials, and a Nintendo DS. Maybe I can get an internet connection out there? We'll see.

risawn @ 2009-06-09T19:30:00

2009-06-09T23:31:50Z

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Obama Orders Stephen's Haircut - Ray Odierno

colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Stephen Colbert in Iraq

Heheh, that was actually quite amusing.

I want to see this series of episodes. When I get the time.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Stephen Strong: Army of Me - Basic Training

colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Stephen Colbert in Iraq

Colbert in Basic. Those drill sergeants aren't mean enough.

risawn @ 2009-06-05T18:22:00

2009-06-05T22:26:27Z

Hey, how about that stimulus plan they set out to take on as soon as Obama took office?

I never understood how spending 786 billion or something like this would work. With the massive amount of debt we are taking with this and all the bailouts, how would spending more money actually help the economy? Because somebody has to pay for it, who do you think that's going to be?

The businesses that actually hire people perhaps?

This is an interesting graph. The data in blue was the predicted outcome with and without the stimulus. And as you can see, the red is actual numbers.

It's so awesome that we have a competent government who knows best for us peons.

risawn @ 2009-05-27T21:29:00

2009-05-28T01:30:25Z

Strange the things that go Viral.

Check out the reviews on this t-shirt. Hilarious

risawn @ 2009-05-12T15:25:00

2009-05-12T19:32:27Z

Just FYI, found this on Daily Kos. Wanted to get an assessment of it and what people saw if you would.

Before reading mine, what are YOUR thoughts?

Without bringing in my personal politics, my initial take on this image is not friendly to Obama. Reagan is symbolized as the sun, a shining beacon that brings light, and Obama is the moon, eclipsing the sun and bringing an era of darkness.

What makes it somewhat humorous to me is that it was an image made by the Kos kids, who are adamantly liberal and Pro Obama / Anti Reagan. I'm curious what other people see.

I think their take is that Obama is eclipsing Reagan in greatness or something, but it wasn't the first thought that came to my mind. I think it is the reverse of what they intended. But is it bringing my politics when I see what I did? Just curious.

risawn @ 2009-05-11T22:26:00

2009-05-12T02:38:43Z

Well, it's good to see that the massive $787 Billion stimulus plan did such a bang up job at stimulating the economy and everything. Money well spent.

Wait, what? You mean there is no predicted Job Growth for this year? How can this be, with the enormous amount of spending done by the White House that was demanded to pass right here and now to prevent job loss? What about those 150,000 jobs Obama claimed to have saved earlier this month? What, you mean that was complete and utter Bullshit?

Wow, awesome job on the economy, way to blow tax payer's money on something economists and the non partison Congressional Budget Office was predicting would do little to help or improve the economy. I'd say it's made things worse.

I've been harping on this for months now, and people just bought into it thinking it would help, despite the fact that most spending for a stimulus bill (the key word there is stimulus, to stimulate the economy NOW) wasn't scheduled until 2010 or 2011. We'd be better off if we had done nothing at all, at least we wouldn't be left with a massive deficit that will have to be paid for with tax dollars.

I just expected Obama to do three things (all I can expect from somebody who has vastly different political viewpoints then my own). Fix the economy, keep us safe, and leave my guns alone. And he's failing in every way imaginable.

Emergency Recall of All Printed Money

2009-05-07T17:25:08Z

Quick, send it in!

risawn @ 2009-05-03T00:05:00

2009-05-03T04:09:40Z

Happy Derby Day!

I met John Locke! Terry O'Quinn is a very nice guy, didn't want to impose on him because, well, I was working and it is a tad unprofessional to go up to people when you are working security and ask for pictures. So I made sure it was well in the day and he didn't look to busy and asked him if it would be impolite of me to get a picture with him. I saw many celebrities, but he was the only 'real' celebrity I got a picture with.

In other news, what kind of name is Mine That Bird? I think I'm in love with this horse.

We Didn't Start the Flame Wars!

2009-04-15T22:52:55Z

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

"What a Mockery he has made of the Standard Operating Procedure!"

2009-04-10T01:04:20Z

Drill Sergeants have to be creative and find new ways to punish privates for different violations of army training and standards. For instance, not being in formation on time, making their bunks incorrectly, or just leaving their crap out in the bay.

Smoking the crap out of privates only works for so long, and then they start getting the impression that the drill sergeant will smoke them anyway, so they get lazy. You can threaten them with counseling statements, but I personally only reserve that for the ones that really piss me off (leave a paper trail to help with the article fifteens later). My latest thing? Essays. Also called RBIs, though for the life of me I do not know what RBI stands for.

Why are Essays so effective? One of two reasons, it takes the valuable personal time of the private to write, and they have to think hard about what they are writing about, especially when they learn that I actually read the essays they write me. So it makes them have to contemplate why they were wrong in their act.

So today, I walk into the bay and I notice a few things are jacked up. We are nearing 'Blue Phase' and the privates are still all sorts of jacked up. However, tomorrow is their PT test so I have to watch that I don't smoke them to hard so they are prepared for their PT Test. Anyway, some had their jackets out, some had their PTs not squared away, some had their shoes jacked up, though I think I got the message for the bunks. Anyway, I had about twenty essays that I wanted turned in, something like '500 word essay on the importance of your PT display' or '1000 word essay on why you secure your field jacket', or whatever I had planned. If they don't write it and turn it in on time, I make them write more essays, or add to it. They love that.

Privates hate it when you might potential mess with their rare moments of personal time.

Anyway, two privates decided to get creative. Instead of writing an essay on what they did, they decided to tell a story about what happened that narrates a tale of woe, versus actually stating what they did wrong and what they learned from it. PVT Farrell titles his essay "The Horrifying Tale of the PT Display that Violated Standard Operating Procedure". In it, he describes himself as a happy go lucky private that is doing his thing and thinks he is squared away, when the Drill Sergeant enters the picture.

"While in class, PVT Farrell's Drill Sergeant walked through the bay and stopped abruptly and disgusted by PVT Farrell's wall locker. 'What a mockery he has made of the Standard Operating Procedure' the drill sergeant thought to herself."

From now on, whenever any Private does anything like that, I am going to say that out loud. Mockery is going to become my new word for the rest of this cycle, granted if I can keep a straight face when saying it.

But then there was his bunkmate who I also got an essay from, titled 'the Field Jacket. . .' with the ominous multiple use of the period. His story starts out EXACTLY the same as PVT Farrell's, only he had to draw it out to a thousand words, though he talks about urinating quite a bit.

"It was in that moment of confusion and dismay that the private, for whatever reason decided he was never going to hang his field jacket on the bed post. . . Some soldiers say he decided this because combatives was coming up soon and he wanted to get certified very very badly. Some soldiers say he decided to never hang his field jacket on the bed post becuase he wasnt positive on what to do with it, but when he saw it thrown into the nasty nasty dirty floor made him realize he did the wrong thing that day. . . if you ask me, I'd say he made the decision to never hang ehis field jacket on the bed post is becuase the private was scared to death that his drill sergeant would turn into an evil PT Monster and make the poor private do flutter-kicks, frog kicks and push-ups till he couldn't move and then the PT Monster Drill Sergeant would then consume the private's soul and make the private live out the remainder of eternity in Ft Knox Basic combat training!!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!"

So, I can become an Evil PT Monster. Sweet! This privates know I can and will smoke teh shit out of them at times.

Anyway, both privates now have to write an essay on properly writing an essay. 1000 words. Do tomorrow.

I need to go through the other 'bitchfests' which is what most privates write 'I don't understand the point of writing an essay about my shoe display' will also likely have to rewrite an essay as well.

But really, they hate writing essays. I'm going to have to start upping the word count for blue phase, and it will likely come with counseling statements. And Push Ups.

risawn @ 2009-04-05T18:01:00

2009-04-05T22:07:10Z

This reminds me of ImprovEverywhere, which is something I would so like to one day take part in.

risawn @ 2009-03-20T22:08:00

2009-03-21T02:10:30Z

Tomorrow begins the first day of the rest of my life.

I'm going to be quite out of the loop for the next five to six weeks.

If I get any good war stories, I'll pass the word on.

risawn @ 2009-03-15T21:26:00

2009-03-16T01:28:26Z

Went to Cincinnati today for a protest on big government spending.

Sent a picture to InstaPundit.

Good times were had.

Now back to the grind.