A nipply problem.

Alright... So for whatever reason my last 3 GF's have been quick to point out that I have very hard nipples (and pretty sensitive.. at least for a guys)... Normally not a problem(maybe even an advantage at times), just something that has been noted on a consistent basis for quite some time.

Now to the crux of the problem... I remember when I was younger and noted that one or 2 fellows who finished their marathons (I grew up in Arlington so I have seen a few ends of the Marine Corp Marathon a couple of times when family have run it) had unfortunate spots of red on their shirts at the end of the race. I calmly filed that away under the "that’s weird category" and promptly forgot about it... until the past month or so.
See lately I have been clocking my longest runs ever (like the one last week that almost killed me). And um... all of a sudden I have a newfound respect for the above problem. It seems that even though I use really expensive, nice shirts (underarmor or Nike primarily) that is not soft enough. About a month ago I was definitely bleeding and it took a couple of days to heal. So I have now taken to wearing Band-Aids as I run (one fell off last week.... ouch). So now it looks like I am wearing pasties for my run... I forgot to take them off after a run 2 weeks ago and didn't notice until I was in the gym locker room... I so need to try some different solutions (Vaseline was just purchased to go with the Band-Aids so as to offer a redundant solution).

So god help me, I have a newfound respect of the steps that you ladies out there do to protect your breasts (damn, nipples getting rubbed raw hurts!).

I have a sickness...

Above is the Squished in version of my TV schedule.... I normally keep it on seperate worksheets but this shows up better.....

I know the first stage of dealing with addiction is to admit a problem.... but.... I really have no urge to correct my problem....

BTW, anyone want to take odds on who will win the cancellation lottery? My money is on Cavemen.....

Running will be the death of me

So I did my longest run on Tuesday (I know this since Lance Armstrong told me so in my earphones (Nike+ iPod pedometer... cool and useful toy)). 15.2 miles!@ I did walk the last mile or so (the infamous runners trot made it painful to run).

Then I stopped in at my parents (they are on my way home to my condo). Then the nausea hit, followed by the headache.... then I felt too hot.... then I shifted to intensely cold (like teeth chattering cold....) My parents (mom is an RN) were really concerned. I was able to shove a little food down (strawberries and cookies plus some tea) and then spent the next 2 hours curled up on the couch at my parents shivering even though I had a heavy sweatshirt on and a blanket covering me.

I then got home at around 1130, took a shower, let work know that it was unlikely that they would see me tomorrow and then curled up in bed with the sheets around me..

And I am already planning on running further next Tuesday.... I think I am insane..... And to think in a little over a month I intend to do 11 more miles than I just did in the Marine Corp Marathon....

Recharging

A free weekend. What a novel thing. After having things scheduled for the past 3 weekends without end, and my schedule is starting to look full in the future it was refreshing to finally have a weekend to enjoy.

I started it off by heading to Continental after the Gym to enjoy their happy hour with my GF (though the beers were up to par the food wasn’t as good as it has been). An early evening then off to bed.

GF took off early to go volunteer. Then I slept in, laid around for quite some time (read, watch some TV, played Bioshock). Then a nice afternoon run, popped over to the parents for dinner (burgers) the off to see a movie over at AMC Hoffman. The computers were down there again (do they ever work?) so we just barely made it inside for the show. Though it was worth it…. “Superbad” was awesome. One of the best teen movies that I have seen, period. I think that it helped that all of the cast were much more typical and less glossy than some of the normal teen fare and that the writing was excellent and really captures kids at that age.

After a lazy startup we went to Alexandria for brunch on Sunday. We went to Pat Troys for the food (I had a really good Irish breakfast). Then we spent several hours strolling around, checking out shops and just enjoying the fantastic day.

After a quick recharge (nap for GF, visit to the gym for me) we then headed over to Talula’s Eat Bar to check out a showing of one of the best movies ever… “Goonies”. I liked a lot of what they had there and the popcorn and other treats were a nice touch. Will definitely have to hit it again in the future.
A little bit of Emmy’s and then bed. A very fine weekend.

So glad I live in this country...

For all the claims of free speech being repressed in this country, you have stories such as this:

BBC News (oddly you get the most unbiased coverage from the BBC... when you pull up the story from other sources, such as ABC you get items tossed in such as "far right" and "shaved heads"). Though I did get the most shudder inducing quote from the ABC article:

"It is very important to remember that the freedom of assembly and
expression can be restricted to protect the rights and freedoms of others,
including the freedom of thought, conscience and religion," secretary general Terry Davis said. "

Yeah, we have problems in this country. But we still believe that people have the right to assemble, heck we even offer security if its going to be controversial (like anything involving that vile KKK). Whereas "The mayor of Brussels, Freddy Thielemans, banned the protest last month for fear it would cause problems with the city's immigrant population."

Its stories like this that make me sick when people continue to point at Europe as the bright and shining light that all others would do well to follow.. Please, give it a rest.

And BTW people.... it says freedom of speech.... it doesn't mean freedom of responsibility. If you say something then everyone (other than the government which should stay out of it) has the right to make you pay for it in their own way... (ie, you say something stupid about the Irish then I wouldn't expect my business would be heading to you again).

Fall TV shows its head early

I was excited to learn on Monday that via my Tivo and Amazon Unbox I would be able to get a sneak peek at some of the new shows (unfortunately I am still unable to get Journeyman (aka Quantum Leap from its descriptions) but I will try again tomorrow probably).

• Chuck - Of the batch this was the one that I was the most excited about. And I wasnt let down. Very quirky and fun. Does have flaws but it looks to be a good cast and fun little show... Kinda reminds me still of Jake 2.0
• Life - Wasn't sure on this one. But it grew on my during the show. Life hadn't made my initial cut of shows to watch and now will get a reprieve and a chance to prove itself.
• Bionic Woman - I am intrigued.... Pretty dark show but has a lot of possiblities. Jumps right into the action and drags you into the show. Seeing this episode solidified that this show would be on my list in the next few weeks.

Interestingly I was very impressed with the video quality provided from Unbox, it was one of the best SD signals that I had seen...

6 Years ago.

Even now I can remember the events of 6 years ago with perfect clarity.

I was unemployed at the time (though I had just done an interview that would lead to a job in a few short weeks with the government). So I slept in until around 0800. Then I just remember the panic, the desperate attempts to get in touch with family. The fear that I couldn't. The absolute horrors of seeing one, then the other tower of the WTC go down. Hearing about the strike on the Pentagon and seeing smoke in the distance. The further panic of reports of another aircraft headed for DC.

It all still resonates strongly with me and remains a powerful motivator for my actions today. Every time that I put on my uniform I have that strong desire to make sure that what happened 6 years ago never happens again and, heaven forbid, that something happened again that I could provide more assistance than sitting at home desperately seeking more information about that safety of my family.

Though I dodged a bullet in that no one from my extended or immediate family was hurt (though my uncle and cousin will probably forever have the images of the jumpers burned in their mind as they were working in the vicinity) my heart still aches for the people that lost their lives to this cowardly attack and for their families that continue to mourn their loss. It saddens me that the scum that ochestrated this event still continue to breathe and still offer some sort of further threat to this country.

Somehow its appropriate that on a day commemorating such a grim event even the weather seemed sad.

So worth it.

So I had my first drill as a 2nd Lieutenant this weekend. I like my CO, XO and fellow LT. As I was wandering the firing line acting as a safety and offering assistance it really made me feel that the 2 years of work to get to this place was worth it. Though I went to bed tired Saturday night I knew that I was satisfied and proud of my work. For the first time in 2 years I am looking forward to my next drill and the additional responsibility that I will have then.

Embarassed for others....

never lend your GF a computer that has had many more users than yourself for prolonged periods of time without wiping it first. It cuts down on the awkward emails that come in when she is sick and using it out of boredom.. Particularly when she thinks that you have been the sole user of said machine...

And then emailing back and desperately asking not to be told the specifics because then you will be pondering which of the potential users did access those sites…

Living in a bubble

Every so often you come to realize that you live in a bubble. Particularly when you step outside it for a while.

Today was my first day of classes at GMU for the semester. I have decided to continue taking classes there and get another degree (in Information Systems Security and Assurance). Since I work in the government with everyone I deal with having a security clearance you sometimes really forget the makeup up the IT world. Boy did I get a reminder today. Of the 36 people in my class there were 3 white guys, one Asian, and EVERYONE else was from India.... Before I joined the government (almost 6 years now.. wow...) I used to work commercial clients and I guess I didn't notice and forgot. Its just jarring to pop out the norm that you get so used to..

Its pretty sad that there aren't more American Citizens in the class. I don't remember the numbers but the participation of AmCits in higher education (in particular the useful ones like engineering and science) is dreadfully low. I get scared for our future sometimes, since it seems that entertainment and education are one of our main exports, but eventually that will be produced elsewhere.

Awesome weekend! (I am a Lieutenant now)

Before I say anything else, here I am as the end result of 22 months of hard work!

So I had the pleasure of starting my weekend early, with Thursday night spent at the Zoo (at the very drinky event of Brew at the Zoo).

Then a WAY too early morning drive down for an 0800 report time down at Ft. Pickett.

Lots of inspections of the uniforms, practice for the graduation and the minutia that is required for these events. And very quickly it was Saturday Morning.

At 1230 I met with my parents and GF, went to the chapel and signed my life away for the next 6 years. I was very lucky in that my father, a retired LCDR from the Navy, was permitted to swear me in.

Then a little more dead time, then the ceremony, which was really nice. I actually won an award (Academic Leader) and then had the pleasure of having both my parents pin my 2nd Lieutenant bars onto my shoulder. Then a nice dinner in downtown Blackstone and a ride home.

Believe it or not I went for a 12.5 mile run Sunday morning (still training for the MCM). We also had a great dinner with 2 of the other 2LTs and their family's over at Ft. McNair in the evening. Lots of fun to be had by all!

And down they went!

3-1. Atlantic Cup... Moreno's 109th goal (now the holder of the most goals scored in MLS).... What a great game..

And the fingers were fun since my nephew LOVED them.... to see him wander into my parents place with one on both hands and him chanting d....c..... united! was awesome!

NY is going down

There are few teams I passionately dislike (in particular outside of the college realm.... yeah, I am looking at you Wahoo's as example). Somehow 2 of the them, the NY Yankees and the NY/NJ Metrostars (I mean Red Bulls) are from NY. So I am definately looking forward to this evening when I can sit back and let the boys in Black and Red take on the Metroscum... I mean Full of Bull... this evening....


T-minus 3 days until I become a comissioned officer....

So using contractors when I get married.....

So I just got a touch of what it feels like to arrange a wedding (at least that’s how it feels to me).

In the past couple of days I have had to get my fellow Officer Candidates to set up the reception for our graduation while I took on the daunting (to me at least) task of getting the invites out. Quite a task, something that I will go far to avoid in the future. 61 invitations to basically every general and field grade officer in the Virginia Army National Guard. Selecting and getting the wording of the invite, reply card and map approved, prying the invite list from the people who are providing the list, getting the cards (reply and main invite made up), generating and printing the labels (given the timeframe there was no way this was going to be hand labeled as protocol implies it should), getting Kinko’s to print the cards (and dealing with my the 3 phone calls and one visit from my GF to get things right) and then finally stuffing, labeling and stamping everything. All in 3 days... Thank god my GF was willing to help and could spare the time to help this hapless male through this crap.

T-Minus 8 days until I become 2nd Lieutenant Media Addict..... My uniform is almost completely ready and I am so stoked to move on to my next task (and to get this OCS stuff behind me).

Yeah, Yeah....

Its summer, I've been catching up (being gone for 15 days makes you feel like you are playing catchup for the next week or 2).

Seen some great movies (The Simpsons and The Bourne Ultimatum), enjoyed a great Restaurant Week meal and drinks (at 15Ria), went to NYC (awesome play, Avenue Q and awesome food (Bobby Flay's Bolo, Heidelburg German Restaurant, and of course a number of slices of NY Pizza) and am just now getting back into the swing of things..

Catching up on some TV too.... really enjoying the new and returning cable shows... Pysch has moved up to the list to near the top, Burn Notice, Mad Men, and a slew of others... now if only I had the time to watch everything...

Whoah!...

I got back at 11PM on Friday and am only now feeling up to writing about my two week ordeal.

Most of my squad (C/2/1 - Fishercats) from OCS....

Almost recovered from the Poison Ivy (it got on my face for gods sake.... my fricking face). Still not recovered on the sleep side.

Training sucked. Lots of time in the field, sleeping on the bare earth. Served as food for the local wildlife (chiggers.... so much bad information out there about them... I followed through with my resolution to do some research on it when I got back and good old Wikipedia didn't let me down.. here and here for more information on these pesky bugs... amazingly the mosquitos and ticks weren't even noticable).... But oh, the poison ivy..... There were some fields down there that make me shudder now... where it seems that every inch of the ground has this obnoxious plant on it. Luckily the Army cleaned me up a little right at the end, with a nice little shot and a treatment of drugs to decrease the effects. And the Combat Survival Water Test helped at the midpoint (thats me taking the plunge from the diving board below)

But overall I was kind of lucky. It could have been hotter, it could have rained a lot more, been buggier and overall sucked a lot more.

Interesting point.... Office Working City boys such as myself really cannot adapt to the type of weather down in Alabama in such a short time. This time last week I had received an IV of saline and electrolytes twice....

Its over and done with now, and now I just need to get things set for our graduation party on the 25th and then onward to joining my new Unit as a 2nd Lt.

I passed!

I am itchy and tired still but I am back, alive and mostly intact (except for a case of Poison Ivy that is taking its time to go away). 3 weeks until I can wear my new rank (after having it pinned on by parents). Still so tired... More to follow later when I have recovered from my 2 week long ordeal...

Hooah!

And I am off until the week of 8/5. I will be spending the next 16 days down at Ft. McClellan Alabama completing Phase III of OCS. Way too much camping for this city boy but them the breaks..

I fully expect to return a little beaten up, a number of pounds lighter, and with a big grin that I have finally finished the OCS thing and can proceed onto the real job at hand.

So until that time, I leave y'all with a big old HOOAH!

Out.

Movies! (and other entertaining stuff)

On Friday night I saw Ratatouille ... It was a lot of a fun. Right from the beginning, with the alien abduction bit then right into the main feature it was a very enjoyable movie. 7/10

Loving -

• Pysch - I loved the premier, and will definitely enjoy the 3 episodes that will be waiting for me when I return.


• Burn Notice - also lots of fun. will definitely be looking forward to the set that is waiting for me on return as well


• That my Tivo finally has a good HD


• That my GF is now living a lot closer. Her being out in Reston was a pain.
• That my best friend (from 1st grade) DV was in town last night.... I think we spent almost 4 hours catching up last night in Dremo's.... I m
  

Not so Loving...

• That DC United blew a frigging 3 point lead.... that was just sad


• That I have to leave my GF for 3 weeks... I hate that a decision that I made ealier is affecting her now.

Anxiety.

So after almost 2 years of training (9 weeks of basic training in '05, a 2 week AT last summer, countless weekend drills, class meetings, packing anxiety) I find myself rapidly approaching on my last 2 week training event for OCS here in VA.

Its been humbling so far. Because while the military stuff is known to me in theory, in practice its been difficult. I have never done so badly (in respect to others) in my life and its hurt my ego a lot. I did do well on the technical aspects (I have always been a quick study and the classes are at least vaguely familiar to me) but when it comes down to the practical parts I have found myself come up far short of my expectations.
And now in a handful of days it all comes down to how well I can execute a mission out in the field. One, maybe 2 chances to prove that I am worthy of leading the best soldiers in the world. No pressure at all..... Though I know that I can rise to the pressure and I have gotten pretty good support from my trainers at the OCS Company.

The packing is done, the papers I need are printed, the mind is already getting into the right mood. Time to spend some time with the family and GF. Oddly I am looking forward to seeing some of the great people that I met last summer, see some of the other candidates from VA and to see my good buddy PW (who will be joining us down in Alabama after doing the accelerated course. That and at this point I want to get over this hump and get on to the next challenge.

T-minus 2 days to departure...