UPDATE: I got bored and made a ghetto map of this chicken-scratch. According to Google Maps... 4885 miles with 3 days and 16 hours.
27 September 2010
So, to Summarize Almost 4 Months
Add "Free Six Flags" and "Visit and Stay in Downtown Atantla" to this list and you're pretty much caught up with the random things I've done since I graduated in May. I'm sure I forgot a bunch, but that's what came to mind the other day when I scribbled all of this crap on paper. I started this blog to keep up with my thoughts, but I think it might be best to start back in May at my graduation/commissioning. Writing in a past-tense that is more than just a couple of days off should be a better chance to reflect anyway. Right? Huh? Oh.
UPDATE: I got bored and made a ghetto map of this chicken-scratch. According to Google Maps... 4885 miles with 3 days and 16 hours.
UPDATE: I got bored and made a ghetto map of this chicken-scratch. According to Google Maps... 4885 miles with 3 days and 16 hours.
18 August 2010
"US Combat Troop Withdrawal"
Must comment here....
Balancing the realities of the slow withdrawal to the actuality of deployment to the heart of a failing democracy. It can be weird.
Although Barack Obama's speech on the "end of the combat mission" was largely a political move (but one that many will actually take seriously), it is strange to think of myself being in war that no one wants to consider a war anymore.
Balancing the realities of the slow withdrawal to the actuality of deployment to the heart of a failing democracy. It can be weird.
Although Barack Obama's speech on the "end of the combat mission" was largely a political move (but one that many will actually take seriously), it is strange to think of myself being in war that no one wants to consider a war anymore.
08 August 2010
01 August 2010
Learning and Productivity
Going through the technical portions of my most-recent classes here, I've begun to realize just how much information can be crammed into ones brain in a very short period.
Of course, cramming is nothing new to me--I did it all through college. Given 3-4 months to soak in most of my knowledge made me do just that...often leading to a strong week of brain-drilling dementia towards the end.
What's interesting to really think about is how much productivity can soar when you add two elements: a deadline and pressure.
As I have recently read in 4-hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, the 9-5 work week really is a farce and I'm starting to agree with that. At least in the sense that deadlines are spanned so far for most jobs. Instead of being productive, people just make themselves "busy".
For me right now, the 9-5 work week--however painful it may feel--is MUCH more productive in educating me on the concepts of study than were semester long classes during college.
Applying this to other parts of my life in the future should be helpful, but I am glad right now that I know that I can learn completely foreign concepts in a week--just need the pressure and the deadline.
Of course, cramming is nothing new to me--I did it all through college. Given 3-4 months to soak in most of my knowledge made me do just that...often leading to a strong week of brain-drilling dementia towards the end.
What's interesting to really think about is how much productivity can soar when you add two elements: a deadline and pressure.
As I have recently read in 4-hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, the 9-5 work week really is a farce and I'm starting to agree with that. At least in the sense that deadlines are spanned so far for most jobs. Instead of being productive, people just make themselves "busy".
For me right now, the 9-5 work week--however painful it may feel--is MUCH more productive in educating me on the concepts of study than were semester long classes during college.
Applying this to other parts of my life in the future should be helpful, but I am glad right now that I know that I can learn completely foreign concepts in a week--just need the pressure and the deadline.
27 July 2010
Air Forse Neads SplelCheck
A little light humor this morning. The picture below was on the main page of AKO. Know it's not a Wikileaks-level find, but I thought it was funny.
26 July 2010
RIP Andrew Hand
Please read this article on PFC Andrew Hand. All of my best to those who perished with him as well. I knew Andrew and remember him only to be a quiet but confident person--full of ambition.
It was interesting to read that he actually turned down an opportunity to move off the line for a new assignment but said "he didn't want to leave his brothers". Truly a tribute to his character.
Andrew's death is certainly a tough taste of reality for me. Having others in my close groups of friends and family deployed has given me my own perspective, but Andrew was the first person I have known personally to have died serving overseas. Not only did Andrew serve his country, but he did so both in Afghanistan and Iraq--twice. His sacrifices in life and in death will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.
Army Times Article
It was interesting to read that he actually turned down an opportunity to move off the line for a new assignment but said "he didn't want to leave his brothers". Truly a tribute to his character.
Andrew's death is certainly a tough taste of reality for me. Having others in my close groups of friends and family deployed has given me my own perspective, but Andrew was the first person I have known personally to have died serving overseas. Not only did Andrew serve his country, but he did so both in Afghanistan and Iraq--twice. His sacrifices in life and in death will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.
Army Times Article
22 June 2010
CU: The College Home and Atlantic City June '10
Directly after I finished up with a week of weddings and some personal disappointments, I turned around to regain some vigor for life with my best friends from school. The drive through the WV mountains turned out to be a great relief and it was really nice to be back to my hometown one last time--though this time not one bit of my stuff was there. The middle of June is an odd time to be in a college town, but it was refreshing to see the area during that time of the year because I had not done so in the 3 years my family lived in Germany. As one last "victory lap" my roommate and I went for a hike up the local mountain, which boasts a great view of our town.
After that, it was off to the famed Atlantic City to meet our other roommate. His mother frequents there to play slots, so we were able to get a room gratis. I wound up playing a good bit of "Caribbean Stud" and overall the experience was a great chance for us to relive a "light" version of our exploits from our Spring Break trip to Vegas. We could have stayed for another day, but we were just as content with heading back to my roommates home in New Jersey for a party. Writing this now is almost surreal, because I cannot believe it's been since then that I saw my old friends. Luckily, I'll be heading back there for this weekend, which should be crazy since it's Halloween weekend!
After that, it was off to the famed Atlantic City to meet our other roommate. His mother frequents there to play slots, so we were able to get a room gratis. I wound up playing a good bit of "Caribbean Stud" and overall the experience was a great chance for us to relive a "light" version of our exploits from our Spring Break trip to Vegas. We could have stayed for another day, but we were just as content with heading back to my roommates home in New Jersey for a party. Writing this now is almost surreal, because I cannot believe it's been since then that I saw my old friends. Luckily, I'll be heading back there for this weekend, which should be crazy since it's Halloween weekend!
17 June 2010
Catch-up: Weddings in WV June '10
It was an experience attending my first two weddings in a span of a week. I still had never gone to one (mainly because I am the oldest in my family). Seeing it happen in real life took the mystery out of it, both in a good and bad way. That week was pretty tough personally, but in many ways it confirmed to me a lot of questions I needed answered.
03 June 2010
Catch-up: Back Home May '10
The main thing I can say about returning to Fredericksburg for the few days I was there before getting back on the road is that it was bittersweet. I held on a bit tightly to State College... even staying an extra four days or so after graduation just to hang out.
When I got home I was so happy to relax, be with family, and just plain hang out. But it really felt much like it would feel at home for the rest of the summer... like limbo. With that said, it's not like it wasn't a great time!
I was so happy to enjoy a great graduation party with my cousin and see so much family. Again, it was much more than I could ever ask for. To friends/family... thanks so much for making it a great day for us!
I also got to catch up with the past and take it in--even seeing some of my parents' old friends from way way back. Overall, it was a great time to reflect on the end to a big chapter of my life. And contemplate the next.
Currently enjoying:
Footage from 25SEP10 Concert from Nashville. WILL HOGE
When I got home I was so happy to relax, be with family, and just plain hang out. But it really felt much like it would feel at home for the rest of the summer... like limbo. With that said, it's not like it wasn't a great time!
I was so happy to enjoy a great graduation party with my cousin and see so much family. Again, it was much more than I could ever ask for. To friends/family... thanks so much for making it a great day for us!
I also got to catch up with the past and take it in--even seeing some of my parents' old friends from way way back. Overall, it was a great time to reflect on the end to a big chapter of my life. And contemplate the next.
Currently enjoying:
Footage from 25SEP10 Concert from Nashville. WILL HOGE
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