Trying to make the best of it.

Been busy as of late. Wrapping up loose ends before I go to Lackland AFB, TX for tech school. Some say it's a month long, others say it's 3 months. Who knows? I'm keeping busy packing, getting uniforms ready (gotta remember to grab a belt and buckle when I get to the base), doing PT (did a practice PT test with the new standards and I got an excellent) and finishing up my last couple days at work. I'm going to miss my baby but I get to bring her blind teddy bear with me (she's had him since she was 7) so that will help. Plus I'll have phone and internet access, it's not like deployment so it won't be that bad.

It's the end of the day and like usual, I'm just sitting here doing nothing. For the past 3 days I've been trying to relax and spend some time with the wife... It hasn't been happening for one reason or another. Right now Nancy's passed out on the couch, she's not feeling good. I work tomorrow through Saturday. Sunday and Monday were busy with mothers day and a trip to some place that has tress. Were busy all this weekend and I leave at the beginning of next week (I think Tuesday) so I don't see any quality time happening. Every time I try to do something or plan something nice someone or something comes along and kicks over my wooden blocks.

Every time I go away for a long time (USMC Bootcamp, Infantry School, Africa Deployment etc and now) I always end up being bored and by myself. Really sucks.

And so it begins... again... 8 years later.

Greetings Cyber surfers,

In less than a month I'll be wearing that blue uniform every Monday. It finally happened and sooner than anyone thought. My recruiter called today and verified that I'm going to tech school next month. So that means for the 3rd time in 8 years I'm going back active duty. This time hopefully for good. That is unless the economy bounces back, taxes get lowered and we return to a Clintonesque bountiful economy. Real curious about where were going to get stationed. Hopefully Florida but if not, it's ok.

Just happy I have a date now so I'll stop slacking on PT. Did some today for the first time in weeks. I flaked off ever since I weighed in at MEPS. Did good today except for my run. Got about a mile into it and I had to stop. Felt like a raccoon was clawing it's way through my skull. I think a combo of not running, dehydration and low carbs is what did it. Well I have a little less than 3 weeks to get my ass in shape again. Like Gunny said "You can stop PT when your dead. Just because your joining the AF. You should go to that school and kick all their asses because they are going to ask you where you have been. And then you tell them then you show them. Then they will know your who and what you say you are". If it's one thing Marines are good at it's reality checks.

2 1/2 weeks isn't long but it's long enough to get back into a steady routine again. I figure if I do it daily I'll be doing pretty good.

Be seeing you,
Mr. Brian

Trying to keep busy

Greetings Cyber surfers,

Ever since I finished MEPS I've been very very antsy. I was impatient, correction, excited before and now that all I am finally waiting for is nothing more than a school date I can't keep still. Grated I'm happy I have time on my hands. Free time is good time. I fell off the wagon once I made weight and haven't got back on yet. That's changing today. Me and Nancy are both dieting now and we are both going to start our exercise routine today again. Were trying for the mornings but we'll probably end up doing nights most of the time. Atkins is working great, 4-6 lbs in a week! Really really miss energy drinks though, I was depending on those for a while (not to mention I like the taste). Not supposed to have caffeine but I know I'm going to break down and get the low carb Monsters eventually. Looking forward to Iron Man 2! Just trying to keep busy as alluded to by the title. Been catching up on Babylon 5 episodes, it's a great show if you give it a chance and can get past the low budget of the first season. That's all for now, got to go do dishes.

Be seeing you,
Mr. Brian

Atkins, Coin Magic and the Tudors.

Greetings Cyber surfers!

Today Nancy and I started doing the Atkins diet. I did it a while ago with great success and hope to continue that success with my beloved. It takes a bit of getting used to and determination but the diet itself is nor that hard. It is, however, a bit expensive. Buying all natural and unprocessed foods adds up but it is worth it and you start to notice results fairly quickly. Like tonight we had salads with a side of ground turkey patties with cheese. Haven't had ground turkey in ages and I forgot how much I loved it. It has a great taste. It's a bit expensive in comparison to ground beef but its a real nice change of pace. The only draw back to the Atkins diet (to me personally) is the lack of carbs. I'll have to limit my runs to 2-3 miles instead of daily run and longer runs adding up to 5-6. Just won't have the energy to do them. But this could be a good thing. Ever since I started doing longer runs I find myself focusing less and less on improving my run time and focusing on distance. Now I'll have the opportunity to focus on improving my mile in a half.

I've started to do coin magic! lol, Haven't done it in years. I actually had to go on google to remember how to do some of the more basic tricks. Wife thinks it the cutest thing because I get so excited when I do it right lol. I did some magic for my niece Linda, just your basic OoOooo you have a coin behind you ear, pulling coins out of mid air and palming stuff. She really liked it, saying "Do it again! Do it again!". I tried to do some for her sister Sanny, that didn't work out so well. She's forgotten what it's like to be a child and is too serious. She looked at me like she wanted to kill me when I pulled a coin from her ear. To think she used to be one of my favorites.

The Tudors is back for season 4! I know a lot fo guys don't like it and probably think I'm gay for watching but you know what? F you! I thought it was just another soap opera until I started watching it with the wifey. She indulged me by watching Battlestar Galactica Re-imagined (she loves it now!) so I wanted to return the favor and enjoy something with her that she likes and It's a really good show once you give it a chance. Sex, killing, politics, history, action, drama, it has a bit of everything. Still kinda sad my favorite characters keep getting killed off, Wolsey, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell. Guess the series can't help killing them when they died in real life at the hands of the king.

I'll write more tomorrow.

Be seeing you,
Mr. Brian

Runners Guilt and Guilty Running

Greetings fellow cyber surfers,

This is a question mainly for runners, joggers and walkers but it can apply to anyone who does any sort of physical activity. Does anyone do their "thing" out of guilt or feel guilty when they're not doing it?

I feel guilty if I don't run, even on a well deserved day off or if something happens beyond my control and I cannot find the time to do it. I start to feel what I call runners guilt for not running when I know there's no real good reason not to other than I choose not to. Then I start to get the itch and start my guilty run. Right now I feel the need to go running, not because I want to and not because I need to but because I don't have a good enough reason not to. Sure it rained today, it continues to rain now. I ran yesterday so I should be good today. Yet I still feel like I should jump on the treadmill because a rainy day just isn't a good enough reason not too.

Bueller... Bueller... anyone? Anyone else feel like this?

Truth be told I want to play video games. More truth to be told I'm probably going to go put on some shorts and t-shirt and go running. Video games can wait.
Damn... wish I was as adamant about my push ups and crunches as I was running.

*fast forward 5 minutes into the future*

I may not be running on the treadmill. The chinky is going to bed soon and I don't want to go running just for her to go to bed on me when I'm done. I rather stay up with her and then run. But by then it may be too late to run (don't wanna keep anyone up, thin walls and all). Well, we will see what happens.

Be seeing you,
Mr. Brian

Short Blog

Greetings fellow cyber surfers,

It's been a long time since I've blogged. I figured it would be nice to start a new one. For those of you who are interested, here is a little bit about me:

I think of myself as a "renaissance" man. I like to do a little bit of everything, even if I'm not overly good at it. There are times I feel as though I am only visiting this life and do not want to be overly burdened by it. As though I am from a time gone past, merely vacationing in the present.

Over the many years I have learned a few important things, especially during my time in the Corps. I've realized that faith manages, however, like karma it has it's own schedule and time table on how it works and gets things done. Family is important, love is important. Especially between child and parent, husband and wife. I have a very loving and supportive wife Nancy and a great family. For this I am grateful (thank you Nancy).

I try to live everyday the best I can and to the fullest. Not always easy, not always done but it's a daily goal. Running helps but so does humor.

Be seeing you,
Mr. Brian