The only constant is confusion...

The latest and greatest (subject to change at any minute). The folks at the Pentagon who handle separations from the Air Force had some bad information that they were working off of. So it now looks like I will be out of the AF on 7 December of this year. I'm trying to work with the AF Reserve folks to find out what kind of position they can get me out in Michigan. At the same time I'm going to post my resume out on Monster etc next week and see what kind of hits I get. If I don't get anything back from Michigan, I will probably go ahead and find a job in the DC area for a while. Reason for this is I have a security clearance and they have a lot of jobs in this area based on the systems I know. I'm a little nervous but excited at the same time. Wish me luck...

Tim

Next person who says "You're throwing it all away" dies. I turned down the assignment to Korea. I've been there. I don't need to go again. I went up to start filling out some paperwork thinking I'd be kicked out in January and they decided to tell me that the rules have changed again, and I'll be here at the Pentagon until Aug of 05. So that's the plan. Here until next August and then Michigan. Works out well. I'll be able to finish school. Gives me time to get my resume together...It's going to be great. I will be doing the AF Reserves. Anyway, I'll post more when all the papers have been signed.

Tim

Very tiring week, but it ended well. Had to go out of town for work. Was under the impression I would be leaving early Thursday morning. Around 10 Wednesday night I get a call saying "they need you and your team there ASAP!"...boy what fun. Contacted two of my people fairly easily. The third did not answer his phone, so myself and another member of my team drove to his place to wake him. He did not respond...this kid can sleep through anything. After 20 minutes of banging on the door, ringing the doorbell, calling from our cell phones etc, a neighbor came out to inform us they were calling the police if we did not go away...so away we went without my whole team...Drove for a couple of hours (actually didn't leave the Pentagon until after midnight) and arrived at the destination at about 2:30. Got checked in and found beds et al by around 3:30...had to be on shift at 6 so I didn't bother sleeping.

Things got better from there. Ran into some old friends while I was up there which was fun. I also solidified the bonds with new friends. Didn't get much sleep, but had a good time anyway. The work load was far less than we expected, so a lot of just going over manuals and talking and watching CNN or FOX news...

Friday got released and it was beautiful out. We were blessed with a perfect fall day right in the middle of the summer. The ride back was very cool. Good music, sunny, good conversation...got home and just unwound. Watched a few episodes of Band of Brothers with my roommate then head off to bed around 1130. At around 1130 this morning I finally woke up. I haven't slept like that in a long time. I really needed it. Managed to mow the lawn and do some other small yard work, then watched a few more episodes of BoB.

Booked the flights for my next couple of trips. Going to see my soulmate in September, and then to Germany for Christmas. I'll probably end up in Detroit a couple of more times before I head to Korea in Feb.

For those of you behind on my current plans...here they are again: Go to Korea in Feb 05..leave Korea in Feb 06 and join the AF Reserves full time as Selfridge ANG base in Michigan. While I'm working for the Reserves, I'll be busy finding a real job. Once I have the real job, I'll switch over to doing the Reserves as a 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year thing. Some time after I get out there I will buy a house and some time after that I'll be asking the afore mentioned soulmate to marry me (if you're reading this sweetie..again try to breathe). I'm hoping my divorce will be final before I head to Korea, so I don't have to do any paperwork or anything while I'm there.

All right, that's about enough for now...

Tim

I made a Quiz for you! Take my Quiz! and then Check out the Scoreboard!

Got the idea off Shanna's page, but I liked it and thought I would put one out here..enjoy.

OK, so the motivation died... Long weekend. Really not long enough, but you get the point... Managed to get out to a hop-hop club with some friends. It was fun to have a couple of drinks and just let go for a few hours.

Been fooling around with my guitar again..yeah me. I'm really starting to think that I want an electric. Maybe I'll get myself one for Christmas... Speaking of Christmas, I'm going to see Aidan in Germany...It's going to be great. Also a good chance I'll be heading to Vegas in October for a friends wedding...I've never been, but with my current amount of pent up sexual energy (you try having a girlfriend 500 miles away), and a longing to catch up on some kind of youthful foolishness, and my fondness for alcoholic beverages I'm bound to end up in jail. It's probably a good thing I'm not into gamblinf as well. Should be great fun.

I'm off to eat Mexican with some friends.

Still waiting on paperwork for my assignment...starting to get frustrated...

more later
Tim

Hey kids...I'm back. If my current motivation stays with, you can expect a small flurry of post in the next week or so. Right now I'm just posting to say that I got an A in my last class. I rule. I'm good looking too, you knew that.

Aidan on his 5th Bday

 
My jeep.

This one came to me from Detroit Rock City... It speaks to my very soul...
 
Dear Wendy's Double, Although you are not a large as your bigger brother the Triple, you are equally as tasty, your square juicy goodness keeps me up at night, I toss and turn thinking about your special taste.  I would like to posthumously award your designer, Dave Thomas the honor of burger Genius.  The key to you, Double, is the proper mixture of tomato, pickles and the often under-used yellow mustard that fits so well with what you are.  Thank you for being there for me in good and bad times and for giving me the reassurance that you will be there in the future.  You are all beef in my book Double, all beef Friends: we have gathered on this 19th day of july to honor not only the almightly Double, but our faithful companion, the often overlooked, but never failing, Single with cheese as well.  The Single has been a staple for many of us throughout this lifetime....weather in good times or in bad, we have relied on the Single with Cheese to satisfy our hunger panges, if for nothing else...to hold us over until a later time, when the Double could be conquered. Many of us have had the opportunity to engage in wild eating frenzies, carelessly devouring the Single with Cheese, affectionately referred to by fans as SWC, without really thinking about the privilege and honor in which we were partaking..so today, friends, lets all give a round of applause to the ever delicious, ever satisfying, ever perfect SWC, as he has been there for us so many times,,,,living in the shadow of the Double, quietly satisfying our needs, never seeking praise ~ humbly serving his duty as a burger for decades. Thank you SWC, thank you.
 
 

I have not forgot about my fans. It's been a busy couple of weeks. I'm holding off posting a lot of stuff to this site until I'm 100% sure what I'm going to do with my life.

I've been eating way too much lately. It started over 4th of July weekend. Ever since I just eat and enjoy it. I'm probably going to fast tomorrow though. My new, hopefully obtainable goal is to lose 10-15 pounds by February. I got on the scale after I ran on Tuesday and noticed I'm now at the heaviest weight I've ever been. That was enough of a wake up call. I'm waiting until after next weekend (I have my reasons) and then going to change my diet and add another day or two each week at the gym. I'm also going to start using the sauna to get rid of some of the water weight. Speaking of water, the pool at the new gym in the Pentagon is pretty nice so I may start swimming 1 day a week as well.

I hand washed my car for the first time today. It was actually fun. I usually just go to the car wash, but some birds did massive damage to my car and I didn't feel like driving anywhere.

Roommates are taking off for Hawaii in the morning. I get the place to myself for a couple of days until a wonderful girl I know from Detroit comes to visit. I can't wait.

That's about it for now. I have some pics from when Aidan was here that I need to get out. Unfortunately, doing the other web page is lower priority than school work, refinishing my coffee and end tables and keeping up with house work.

OK, gonna go find a movie to watch or something..

Tim

A change in plans. I will be going to Korea. I've accepted this. I'm happy the desicion is now made and I can start planning for the future. On the other I'm very sad over what it did for my relationship with the most perfect woman I've ever met. Not in the best of moods right now...

Aidan and Shanna got off OK. At least the plane took off at 5:30 and it's now almost 10:30, and no phone call so I'm guessing they got on the plane OK. They should be in Amsterdam in a couple of hours, then a short layover, then on to Frankfurt. I really enjoyed having Aidan here. It was nice to see Shanna as well, but a little awkward. We were polite to each other at least.

Trying to work out different versions of my budget to fit into the scenarios I may be faced with in the year or so. I could be heading to Michigan in January, Korea in February, or Michigan next August. Won't be able to work any of this until next week, so I'm going to try and not think about it too much. I think I'm going to take in Fahrenheit 9/11 this weekend. I heard it's a romantic comedy about a boy and his love for oil.

Not much going on in my life. I need to get my homework done, but I have until Monday. I think I'm almost ready to start running outside again. My legs seems to be holding up well on the treadmill anyway.

In some weird demented way, I want the people doing the executions in Iraq to find a Chinese guy to threaten to kill. In response I want China to send about 2 million troops into Iraq. I figure 10 guys on every street corner would help curb the terrorist enthusiasm. Hey that's just me, and no I don't really want to see someone from China executed.

I think it's great a "civilian" made it into space this week, but I would like to know what they expect to come of this. If it's all about charging millionaires to say they're astronauts too, the fuck it...End it now. If it's about improving technology and advancing man's presence in space, then go for it.

Aidan dropped an "F bomb" while he was here. His exact words were "Where are those Fucking puzzle pieces?" very cute. OK, maybe not so cute. Turns out the pieces were in a place that I had looked the night before but somehow managed to miss.

OK, well I need to get some rest. I'm the Booster Club President, and we have a bake sale tomorrow (this would sound like a macho activity if....nothings coming to mind).

More later
Tim

I think Roger Ebert's artilce here does an outstanding job explaining how we should go about getting rid of Bush. I don't always agree with his choice of movies, but as for how a documentary should be done, he's right on.



'9/11': Just the facts?
June 18, 2004
BY ROGER EBERT FILM CRITIC

A reader writes:
"In your articles discussing Michael Moore's film 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' you call it a documentary. I always thought of documentaries as presenting facts objectively without editorializing. While I have enjoyed many of Mr. Moore's films, I don't think they fit the definition of a documentary."
That's where you're wrong. Most documentaries, especially the best ones, have an opinion and argue for it. Even those that pretend to be objective reflect the filmmaker's point of view. Moviegoers should observe the bias, take it into account and decide if the film supports it or not.
Michael Moore is a liberal activist. He is the first to say so. He is alarmed by the prospect of a second term for George W. Bush, and made "Fahrenheit 9/11" for the purpose of persuading people to vote against him.
That is all perfectly clear, and yet in the days before the film opens June 25, there'll be bountiful reports by commentators who are shocked! shocked! that Moore's film is partisan. "He doesn't tell both sides," we'll hear, especially on Fox News, which is so famous for telling both sides.
The wise French director Godard once said, "The way to criticize a film is to make another film." That there is not a pro-Bush documentary available right now I am powerless to explain. Surely, however, the Republican National Convention will open with such a documentary, which will position Bush comfortably between Ronald Reagan and God. The Democratic convention will have a wondrous film about John Kerry. Anyone who thinks one of these documentaries is "presenting facts objectively without editorializing" should look at the other one.
The pitfall for Moore is not subjectivity, but accuracy. We expect him to hold an opinion and argue it, but we also require his facts to be correct. I was an admirer of his previous doc, the Oscar-winning "Bowling for Columbine," until I discovered that some of his "facts" were wrong, false or fudged.
In some cases, he was guilty of making a good story better, but in other cases (such as his ambush of Charlton Heston) he was unfair, and in still others (such as the wording on the plaque under the bomber at the Air Force Academy) he was just plain wrong, as anyone can see by going to look at the plaque.
Because I agree with Moore's politics, his inaccuracies pained me, and I wrote about them in my Answer Man column. Moore wrote me that he didn't expect such attacks "from you, of all people." But I cannot ignore flaws simply because I agree with the filmmaker. In hurting his cause, he wounds mine.
Now comes "Fahrenheit 9/11," floating on an enormous wave of advance publicity. It inspired a battle of the titans between Disney's Michael Eisner and Miramax's Harvey Weinstein. It won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It has been rated R by the MPAA, and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo has signed up as Moore's lawyer, to challenge the rating. The conservative group Move America Forward, which successfully bounced the mildly critical biopic "The Reagans" off CBS and onto cable, has launched a campaign to discourage theaters from showing "Fahrenheit 9/11."
The campaign will amount to nothing and disgraces Move America Forward by showing it trying to suppress disagreement instead of engaging it. The R rating may stand; there is a real beheading in the film, and only fictional beheadings get the PG-13. Disney and Miramax will survive.
Moore's real test will come on the issue of accuracy. He can say whatever he likes about Bush, as long as his facts are straight. Having seen the film twice, I saw nothing that raised a flag for me, and I haven't heard of any major inaccuracies. When Moore was questioned about his claim that Bush unwisely lingered for six or seven minutes in that Florida classroom after learning of the World Trade Center attacks, Moore was able to reply with a video of Bush doing exactly that.
I agree with Moore that the presidency of George W. Bush has been a disaster for America. In writing that, I expect to get the usual complaints that movie critics should keep their political opinions to themselves. But opinions are my stock in trade, and is it not more honest to declare my politics than to conceal them? I agree with Moore, and because I do, I hope "Fahrenheit 9/11" proves to be as accurate as it seems.

I just realized how good looking I am... OK enough of that. Aidan and Shanna are here until the 22nd, when they take off for Germany. It's great having Aidan around again, he's such a smart little guy. We're going to do some cake and ice cream on the 21st for Aidan's B-day.

Going to try diet and exercise for about 6 months to see if it lowers my blood pressure enough to avoid having to take medication. With side effects like fatigue and impotency, the medication does not sound very pleasant.

The booted Jim Norton off of Last Comic Standing because of his contractual obligations with another network...That just sucks, because he was the funniest person on the show.

I have a meeting with an Air Force Reserves recruiter tomorrow. Going to have her try and "sell me" on the idea of the reserves. This week I'm still thinking I'll be separating from the AF in August of 05. A lot of things are involved in that decision. I really want to get out and start working in the civilian work force. I also want to stay in place long enough that I actually can finish my degree without switching schools again. If I get out, I'll be here until Aug 05, which is when my current school program is over. Anyway, I have to get going from work. Just wanted to let my fans know that I still post occasionally.

Cheers
Tim

Well now, let us see...I had an outstanding time in Detroit. Good conversation, great food, good company, incredible ...you get the point. The Detroit suburbs are much nicer than the 8-mile video would have you believe.

When I got back, I had to take the metro back to the Pentagon where I had left my jeep. I walked all the way through the building, and out to North Parking only to find out North Parking was blocked off. So I walked (with my luggage) back up to the building only to be told to head back down and someone would let me through, which they did. I got out to the parking lot only to find out my jeep was not there...so I walked around, found a cop, and asked. He said he was not sure, but he knew they had moved cars over the holiday weekend so the lot could be used for the celebrations downtown. I finally was able to track down someone who told me where my jeep was parked. I had to head back through the building and all the way to the furthest part of south parking to find it (particularly annoying since south parking is located near the metro entrance). Overall, I walked about 2 miles carrying my luggage and I was not too happy, but I thought that if the lot was used for WWII vets, then I really should not complain. The problem is that the lot was not used for the veterans. It was used for a motorcycle rally. Fuck motor cycle people. My jeep did not have to be towed so these morons could have a place to sit on there oversized vibrators and slap each other on the ass. OK enough bitching about that.

This week wasn't the greatest at work. Our new commander is forcing my civilian bosses to justify the people we have in our office and the job they do. Problem is that it really can't be done. I think my branch exist so some civilians can keep there jobs and say that they manage a group of people. Everything we do can be farmed out to other divisions with minimal impact on their mission. Being the NCOIC though I was called upon to come up with spreadsheets, and slide shows that show just how busy everyone is. It did have a plus side when the civilian bosses where briefing the commander and she had them tap dancing around every issue. She told them that what they were using as justification was crap, which is the same thing I told them last month, the month before that and every preceding month since I have been here. None of what goes on there actually effects my military career, so I don't know why I let it get to me...

It's been raining here most of the week. We had some sun Thursday, which I used to mow the lawn. My roomies are out of town right now.

Shanna and Aidan are due here Tuesday. I can't wait to see my little boy. Not sure how long they're staying. Shanna needs to get her passport renewed before they can try to catch a hop over to Germany. I'm also not sure how easy they will be able to hop without my being stationed overseas, but hopefully it will all go well.

I'm still flip-flopping on staying in or getting out. In a perfect world, I would get a guard or reserve position in Michigan and then get a job in Detroit or the surrounding area. That way I could keep my affiliation with the AF and eventually earn retirement benefits, and I could also have a real job and be near the one person in the world I seem to connect with best. Failing that, I do have an assignment to Korea already in the AF system. I have a lot of phone calls with Guard and Reserve recruiters to make in the next couple of weeks. I'm also not afraid to admit that the idea of getting out and getting a real job scares the hell out of me. Once I commit to the decision though I know I'll do what I need to, to be successful. One of my personality traits is that I like to see both sides of an issue or decision and prepare myself to accept each equally. In my gathering of information and opinions, some people see me as indecisive. I don't look at it that way. I can make decisions when they need to be made, but when I have time to gather the facts I will take the time and make the best decision for me.... OK, skipping train of thought again...I'm tired of hearing "It's only 8 more years"...you know what..8 years is not a fucking long weekend...think of everything that's happened to you in the last 8 years...been a long frggin time hasn't it? I'm not sure I'm ready to commit 8 years of my life based on a monetary figure. If I get out, invest well and take care of my money, and myself then I will have the type of retirement I want, with or without the AF money. That being said, it would help pay a mortgage...

I went and bought healthy low salt food. I think I had three items to choose from in the entire supermarket. I ended up with a lot of fruit, and some low salt granola bars. I may be able to survive on this diet if I eat more fruits etc, but still allow myself the cheeseburgers and pizza that are the staples of my diet. I'm also hoping to get over the shin splints so I can start running more regularly.

Not much going on tonight...I'm wide awake and bored. I watched the entire first season of Last Comic Standing today. Tomorrow I'm going to clean up the house (it's not really messy, just need basic maintenance) and then have to pick up Glenn at the airport.

OK I'm going to go find a movie to watch or play my guitar....

more later
Tim

I'm on my way to Detroit tonight. Should be a good time. I had a Dr. appt today to get my foot looked at, but all they wanted to talk about was my high blood pressure. My BP is at 145/95 and usually comes up that way, but now they actually want to do something about it. I have to do a 5 day series of of readings, and then we'll discuss medication options.

Got the latest Lord of the Rings movie. I enoyed it. Some day I'll do the whole LOTR movie marathon.

I can't wait for Aidan to get here. He and Shanna are taking for Minot on the 1st of June. They're making another stop over in Wisconsin before heading to DC.

Anyway, nothing else going on that I can think of. Boston has won 5 in a row, so that's always a good thing. I'm going to try and catch them when they play Baltimore again.

More later
Tim

Went here Saturday night for dinner with Michelle, Glenn, Shelly and Tim and their son Chris. We started off by having some vodka when we got there and were waiting for our table. After a couple of round we realized that our table was ready and that we should probably claim it at some point. The food was fantastic. I had venison, asparagus and some oysters and a salad I think (added wine to the list of things we were drinking at this point, although I know I actually sat down with a crown and coke in my hand)...after eating and having some good conversation and being entertained by the violinist, we headed back to the bar (the area also has a piano bar located with the main bar) for more vodka (I was having ciroc..very smooth and better than grey goose in my opinion (of course both are french). I'm guessing we were tipping well and good company, because I inquired about the 150 year old grand marnier, and the bartender brought me a glass on the house. Soon after this I ended up at the piano sing Dream a little dream of me...Not to be outdone, Michelle performed her rendition of Memories from Cats. Had this been American Idol, she would have the talent, but I would win the popular vote phone in... by the time we left, Shelly could barely walk, and Michelle was all about hugging everyone...Michelle got back to our house and went for a 5k walk so she wouldn't get "bed spins", and then came back and made herself throw up anyway... I was feeling good, but had the good sense to have some gatoraide and aspirin before heading to bed... I slept in late on Sunday, but didn't have a hangover...

To go back a little...we went to Rio Grande for mexican Friday night with Wynne and Brian and another couple (Jeff and Cristiana). It was a late celebration for Wynne's b-day. She actually drank for a change...It was very cute, because after 2 drinks she was acting very goofy...

Took my Jeep in to get worked on. The brake lights are out. Not a good thing. Should have it back tomorrow though.

I'm about 5/8 of the way through the "5 People you meet in Heaven" book. It's very good so far.

OK, more later
Tim

I didn't bother to spell check tonight, so deal with it..

Looks like Blogger has changed their settings a little bit. Hope this turns out OK. Sooo, what's been going on with me? My last post was 2 weeks ago, so I'm going to try and see how well my memory is working.

First, it looks like Aidan and Shanna are going to be moving to Germany. I couldn't be happier. I think Aidan will love it there.

Hmmm at home...I went to Detroit last weekend. I had an outstanding time. I'm going again for Memorial Day weekend. Going to an electronic music fest and then possibly to a lake up north of Detroit.

At work...I'm the boss now. I have several evaluations I need to write and a major upgrade to our classrooms I'm overseeing. I'm also waiting to find out what my next assignment will be, but I won't know until the end of June or beginning of July.

The cicadas are here! I don't know if I spelled it right, but they are bugs (look like big flying roaches) that surface every 17 years to molt, mate,die (males) or dig (females). They come out in millions. The driveway is covered with shells right now...Pretty gross.

I've been running pretty good at work. Right now I'm doing 3 miles every other day, which takes me from the Pentagon over memorial bridge and around the Licoln memorial. In the next couple of weeks, I'm going to expand that out to the Washington monument. It adds another mile to mile and a half, but not enough to make me not do it. My legs get soar after running but I'm coping.

I have some new golf clubs. Now if I can just make some time to break them in. I was going to go with Jeff to hit some balls today, but I had to wait for the repairmen to fix my AC and then had to pick up my roommate at the garage where his car was getting worked on.

I just finished reading "Oh,The things I know" by Al Franken. Not quite as funny as "Lies, and the lying liars who tell them", but entertaining in it's own way. Now I'm reading "The five people you meet in heaven", and I have a copy of "The Divinci Code" on CD that I started listening to on my drive back from Detroit, but need to finish.

Going to a Russian restaurant for dinner tonight. I have no idea what they serve there, but I like trying new places. It's also an excuse to put on a shirt and tie, which I feel like I have to do every now and then so I don't forget how...Oh wait I put one every friggin day at work.

...from the Al Franken book as told to him by Buddy Hacket...

man goes to his doctor with a dot on his forehead. Doctor say "Oh my God! I've never seen this before, but I read about it in med school. In six weeks you're going to have a full sized penis growing out of your forehead" "Well cut it out!" says the patient. "I can't," says the doctor "It's attached to your brain--you'd die." "Oh, my God!" says the patient. "So you're saying that in six weeks every morning when I wake up I'm going to look in the mirror and see a penis growing out of my forehead?" "Oh, you won't see it," says the doctor. "The balls will cover your eyes"..

OK...I need to iron some pants and take a shower et al...

Tim

The List

Here's the list of overseas assignments I'm competing for:

Einseidlerhof - 1 slot
Ramstein - 1 slot
Hickam - 2 slots
Incirlick - 2 slots
Lajes - 2 slots
Osan - 6 slots

If I put Osan or Lajes anywhere on my dream sheet, they default to my number one choice because they're short assignments. My dilema now is do I leave them off the list and hope for one of the 2 Germany positions, or do I just go ahead and do the short tour. Doing the short would allow me to choose a follow-on assignment and greatly increase my chances of getting back to Europe. On the other hand, it's a year or more that I'll be away from Aidan...sigh. I'm leaning towards just going to Korea and then getting a follow-on to Germany right now.

Speaking of Germany, I'm going to Garmisch at the end of June for a couple of days. I'm going to take a day or two of leave while I'm over there and try to get up to Sembach (oh and of course Il'Cappriccio).

Going to Detroit this weekend. I have Thursday and Friday off. I was suppose to go camping in Maine, but the plans fell through.

more later
Tim

This week has been going by pretty fast...I don't know if that is good or bad. Good in that I'll get to see Aidan sooner I guess. I miss him. We talked on the phone tonight for about an hour. It's amazing that he's able to carry on a conversation that long and not just be baby talk.

Planning a vacation to OBX this summer. It should be a good time.

I've been exercising regularly, but I've been eating way too much. I'm hoping I'll hit a phase where I just want to drink water and eat light foods soon.

I really don't know what else to write...I'm feeling a little tired or just out of it or something...

more later
Tim