Where the sidewalk ends, and the trail begins; take me home, take me home.

Thank you, veterans.

2005-11-11T22:03:00.000-05:00

I'm just trying to be a father
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at 'em, bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots

I don't do it for the money
There's bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's my responsibility
Yeah I'm real good under pressure
Being all that I can be

And I can't call in sick on Mondays
when the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey, I'm true down to the core
And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don't want to die for you
but if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
'cause freedom don't come free

I'm an American soldier, an American
beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front line
Sleep in peace at night
American soldier, I'm an American soldier

Yeah, an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front line
So Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I'm an American
An American, an American soldier

Why Texas isn't having looting issues.

2005-09-29T14:09:00.000-05:00

St. Michael, pray for us.

2005-09-22T20:11:00.000-05:00

Got hired at Care today. Orientation is Tuesday morning with Bradford.

2005-09-19T16:11:00.000-05:00

Weekend was good.

Some say this country's just out looking for a fight...

2005-09-11T14:53:00.000-05:00

After 9/11, man I'd have to say that's right
Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And we vowed to get the ones behind Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I'm through accepting limits, 'cuz someone says they're so...

2005-09-08T19:44:00.000-05:00

Well, within the next two weeks at the most, I should be working at Care.

A good start.

Kid, the next time I say, "Let's go someplace like Bolivia," let's GO someplace like Bolivia.

2005-09-01T20:16:00.000-05:00

I forgot I even had this thing. No one has commented though and said "John, we miss you, please come back, you give my life meaning" though, so I'm not particularly concerned.

So gas prices are outlandish. I'm sure everyone will blame it on Bush, but let's face it, oil prices have been rising for the last two decades. Add in the fact that the summer oil prices are always higher, and the hurricane knocked out our two largest oil importation ports (about 80% of our country's oil comes through those ports) and it's not hard to believe.

I was suppose to go to Badlands Monday to run pink, but none of us are willing to spend $100 in gas to go and play for the day.

Buddy of mine lives in New Orleans. He still has a house, but is in fear of the looting posses. Sit on the front porch with his AR, trying to dissuade people, or leave, and let insurance pick up the tab for everything that people walk away with.

He chose the former, go figure.

Wish I could go down to Mississippi to help out.

"Hi, I'm an EMT, Eagle Scout, have a Jeep, and am good with a chainsaw. Oh, I also helped in Florida last year after the hurricanes there. Need any help?"

Yeah, if gas wouldn't cost be two grand to get there and back, we'd talk.

No more summer nights that seem to go on forever...

2005-08-13T10:48:00.000-05:00

Well, today is now Saturday, and I've been back in the real world for... four days or so.

It's taken me so long to update this because frankly, I wasn't sure what to write. And honestly, I'm still not.

The summer is over, and it was by far the best I have ever had. Yeah, I had some issues at times, but overall it was just amazing. I can't tell you how disheartening the thought of being cooped up in the health lodge all summer is.

I want to be outside, running around in jeans and boots while the thermometer is reading close to 110 degrees. I want to be gross and smelly, and when I get around to taking a shower, half of my tan washes off. I want o work with Ben and Sarah again. I want to continue to work on my riding. I want to be buddies with my faithful steed, even if he does run into trees.

Screw airconditioning.

I really can't claim that this was a... mind expanding summer? All I really learned was how much camp could offer, if you're willing to give it a chance.

So, to you ten or so that I hung out with, thanks so much for the great summer, and make sure to keep in touch.

'Cuz I've been waiting all my life for a break like this...

2005-05-09T21:43:00.000-05:00

Ben and I are officially unofficial NREMT-Bs.

We still need to wait thre to six weeks for results to become official, but looks like we made it.

These past two weeks have been tough. They've been stressing, they've been crazy, and I've loved every minute of it. The guys and gals in our class were rude and crude, and honestly I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to spend two weeks with.

I've actually found myself missing some of them.

So now what?

In the short term, I leave for camp in a few days.

Longer term, well, it get's more difficult.

John wants me to be hired onto CARE by Grand Ritual, so that he and I can staff a truck there. Not an issue, I'll just try to precept with him on Saturday evenings, then head back to camp.

But I don't see CARE as being... long term for me. I'll be there awhile, but not forever.

I'd love to work at Wayne Township FD, and Bradford thinks he can get me on no sweat. I got offered by one of the guys that taught our class a job at Terre Haute, and since he's a batallion chief, the offer is pretty serious. Even offered to let me crash with him at home until I get settled. On top of that, Noblesville FD is hiring 14 more people in the next year or so.

I'm scared to death of getting onto a fire department to tell you the truth, because I know that if I do, that will be the end of it. I'll get my medic, and that will be it, I'll be hooked, which isn't a bad think in my mind at all, honestly.

A supervisor from Rural/Metro also talked to be about working there, as well as a guy from Star, so those are another couple of options.

On top of it all, an IPD captain talked to me about coming to work for them, and they'll send me through medic class (and pay me to boot) if I come and play SWAT medic with them, but I'm hearing some very conflicting hiring stories about them, so I'm no taking that one too seriously.

What I am taking serious is the fact I'm close to done with high school, and really have no desire to jump into pre-med at this time. At some point, perhaps, but not yet. So I'm thinking just knock off some of the bullshit classes that I'm going to have to take no matter what I decide to do through IUPUI, since it's cheap and close, and those classes honestly don't matter who you take them from.

But I don't know.

I'm not a doctor.

You'll be gone by dawn, out of my way...

2005-04-23T15:40:00.000-05:00

Well ladies and gentleman, this is it.

I'll be back in August.

I wish all of you good luck, regardless of what your plans for the summer are.

Stay safe, everyone, and mojo, we're thinking about you.

I never saw a wild thing
Sorry for itself
A small bird will fall frozen dead from a bough
Without ever having felt sorry for itself.

There was a decorated general with a heart of gold...

2005-04-20T18:57:00.000-05:00

Looking back, I’m sure that in some previous life I would have found it amusing that on April 20th I’m already in the “get to camp” mode.

Having said that, I would have never imagined that I would have been ready for camp four months ago.

I’ve been trying to remember all day who presented it, and in the end I’ve settled on Craig Burt. We all have heard of being camp sick, but he put it in another way entirely.

It isn’t camp sickness that has kicked in during those cold winter months.

It’s homesickness.

And that’s preciously how I have felt the past few months. For various reasons, my life at home is full of… tension. I blame it on growing older.

You can look at camp staff any number of ways. It’s a way to be with your friends, a way to give back to Scouting, a way to better yourself, something that looks good on college applications, or a way that maybe, just maybe you can make a difference in that one kids life.

Looking at these past four years, I can say that without a doubt I have achieved all of those mentioned reasons.

However, in my eyes I haven’t done them well enough. There are years that I’ve been a good staff member. There are years that camp has given me much more then I have given it.

This summer, I resolve to give back as much as I can. Anymore, that and friends are the reason I keep returning.

Friends… the ones you make there are the ones that will last a lifetime. Don’t believe me? Look at the guys that worked in the mid 60’s.

I’ll be the first to admit that camp can be full of… drama. And I’ll also be the first to admit that I have instigated more then my fair share of it, for various reasons that at the time seemed to be legitimate.

I’ve seen friendships made, then unmade over something stupid, only to years down the road to immerge again.

There are two ways to go about camp.

Partake in the drama, revel in it, in the feeling of control you have and the intense satisfaction when things go the way you want them to.

Or turn away from it, pour all of yourself into the work you do there, whether people are around to see you or not.

In the end the choice, and the way your summer goes, is up to you.

Think long and hard about that.

You stole what was left of the sky...

2005-04-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

I realize that the majority of you probably have no idea what is currently going on in my life, and why I'm not around Indy a whole lot.

Well, here's the scoop of my next month or so.

Ben and I are going to take a two week, twelve hours a day, trial by fire NREMT-B certification class in Bloomington. It's going to be horrible, but in the end we should both come out with NR certs.

We're staying at camp for those two weeks, and as I recall it's like the April 24 through may 8.

On top of all that, Bradford has talked to Care and it looks like I have a job when I get back from the summer if I play my cards right.

Now hopefully as I write this Ben is working on getting me a temporary job at the ER vet clinic he works at up until summer. If that works out, the plan looks something like this:

Next Week: Vet Clinic
Week Two and Three: EMT
Week Four: Vet Clinic
Weekend Four: Staff Weekend
Week Five and Six: Move into camp, set up, get horses, etc.
Week Seven or So: Everyone else arrives at camp.

So, here's the deal. If anyone wants to hang out with me before summer comes, now is the time to let me know so I can make it work. Seriously, let me know by Monday or so if you want to do something, or the chances of it happening are pretty much nonexistent.

For those of you in Bloomington, with any luck I'll be able to chill with you guys one or two nights, but right now as it is I honestly don't have any idea.

I need desperately to get some rest, so consider this the end.

Hope you are all doing well.

Edited to Add: Since I've been home, it appears that I won't be abble to take the job with Ben after all. Not because my parents are against it, but because I find it increasingly clear that they are too stupid to function without me at home to hold their hand as they do menial tasks such as taking a shit.

Fuck this.

What the fuck?

2005-04-07T17:02:00.000-05:00

...?

And nobody knows what I believe, I believe...

2005-04-06T03:07:00.000-05:00

I'm back.

For the first time in over a week I'm home, and honestly I'd prefer to be elsewear.

Was in Cinci, was in Bloomington, was at a horse show in Indy.

Did so much, and honestly I have no desire to spend the time writing it all here.

Half of the Jeep is sitting in the garage.

I love this weather.

Send away for a perfect world...

2005-04-01T15:07:00.000-05:00

So Ben and I are headed to Bloomington tonight.

So if you want to get a hold of me for the next... four days or so, or any of last week I guess, call the cell.

I'm fucking out of here.

You don't look a day over fast cars and freedom...

2005-03-23T01:02:00.000-05:00

Well, after almost a week I'm back at my house.

St. Patty's Day was celebrated at Ben's house, then on Friday he and I went up to Bloomington to hang out with Stymie, Brad, Jesse, Alicia, and whoever else happened to be there.

Friday and Saturday were typical days at camp. Scarily enough, this is the second time down there that the three of us have ended up not working on Saturday. Bound to change as the summer gets closer, I'm sure.

Sunday was fun, we went to Alicia's and relived stress by shooting lead downrange. For like three hours.

Ben and I headed back up to his place Sunday evening, chilled yesterday and part of today, and now I'm home.

Monday was Sarah's 20th Birthday, so a big happy birthday to her. Then today (Wednesday) is mine. Joyful.

So some pictures of the past few days:

So, fun was had by all, but it feels pretty good to be home at last.

2005-03-16T19:20:00.000-05:00

Some of you may well have seen this picture floating around the internet. Here's the story behind it. The picture was taken by Alicia's (Stymie's SO)brother, a week or so before they headed back to the states. There's actually a few more pictures in the series, but this is all I could find.

Dad's Poem

2005-03-16T13:36:00.000-05:00

Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching, a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.
And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him. I'm not standing here alone.

"Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart
I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart"

With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her, doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far
You see he was a policeman and died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day.
And to her mothers amazement, she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink
rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.

I love my boss.....

2005-03-15T00:53:00.000-05:00

I've been wounded, jaded, loved and hated...

2005-03-14T02:32:00.000-05:00

Went to Haspin Acres Saturday. Haspin Acres was one big bloody mudhole.

Left Haspin Acres after an hour fifteen. Thirty minutes of that was spent airing up and down.

Went across the state to Attica. Stayed at the 100 year old Attica Inn. Wheeled the fuck out of Badlands today.

Ran white, green, and orange, as well as spending some serious time in the quarry.

Somehow I ended up leading orange.

I need a new bumper. Mine is approaching the trashed phase. Need to flat fender the Jeep too. Flares are torn to hell.

This is me at the start of orange:

Me in the rock garden:

Here, here, and here are pictures and videos.

The second link has no videos of me going up the wall, since one camera man was riding and the other was putting a new battery in, and I wasn't willing to try it again.

I realize none of you care, but I had fun.

Walking along beneath the lights of that miracle mile...

2005-03-11T17:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm off for the weekend for a fun filled adventure of four wheeling at Haspin Acres Offroad Park.

We're staying in a hotel two nights because mom and I are both still not feeling hot, but we're staying with four other groups from the ROF, so it'll be fun.

I'll post pictures when I get back.

Also, may God bless Chris LeDoux and his family, who passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 56. He will be missed.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and if you need me, feel free to call the cell in the evening.

Take care, y'all.

I suck at this game.

2005-03-09T18:27:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was ridiculous. Monday and Tuesday were also ridiculous, as was this morning.

It needs to be warm, it needs to be spring, it needs to be summer, it needs to be time for camp.

What I saw of the staff weekend was rather pathetic, but it doesn't bother me one bit, nor is it surprising in the least.

Take me home, take me home.

2005-02-28T16:42:00.000-05:00

The Riverview Hospital Emergency room sucks massive amounts of pee-pee.

Apparently I have some fucked up viral lung infection that is trying it's best to turn into double phenomia. I just know I picked this up from one of the runny nose kids at Agape.

Well fucking fuckity fuck.

To appease Erin...

2005-02-27T16:03:00.000-05:00

...I'm updating this thing. It's been less then two weeks, so I don't really know what everyone is complaining about. It's not like any of my recent posts have been interesting, so I'm not sure why some of you are complaining.

So, here's the deal. Allen's still in the hospital.

I've been going down to Cinci a fair amount.

I was in Bloomington last night/this morning, hanging with Tom, Erin, Murph, and Tim. Was good to see old friends.

I also talked to mojo some last night. He's still alive. This pleases me.

I'm getting involved with competitive shooting. Dad and I are in the process of joining two clubs, and I've competed twice now in the last two weeks, one IPDA, and one USPSA. I'm also getting a feel for distance shooting, and may well pick up a .308 with decent optics if I can ever get some money.

I know that this is shocking and disturbing, as it means I will go on homicidal killing sprees. I also have four high capacity magazines for the Glock, which means I am a cop killer.

Speaking of money... I'm broke, and it seems no one wants to hire me.

Interviewed for Gander Mountain Thursday, got a card yesterday in the mail saying thanks but no thanks. They must have popped that thing in the mail as I was walking out of the store.

Whatever. I have an application into Best Buy as well as Circuit City, and am seriously considering S'n'S. I also have phone calls into Jane at Extreme Outfitters, and my Aunt to work at her garden center 'till the summer.

Tomorrow’s game is check out the local vet clinics, and see if any of them take non-certified techs, as well as if any of them are hiring.

Camp did hire me for the ranch, so apparently I'm not totally worthless.

This weekend I'm going to be in three places at once. Ben and I are going wheelin' in Haspin Acres, there's a staff weekend, and I'm serving on staff at Ransburg for the Wilderness Medicine course.

So I have no idea what's going to happen.

I'm laughing at my political views right now. Is there such a thing as Rightist Liberal? I'm liberal as hell, except when it comes to a few things.

What else. The Jeep may well be sick. She's guzzling gas at a horrendous rate, and that's when I'm running less then highway speeds.

There's not way in hell I'm going to be able to afford Moab this summer.

Next February I'm hopefully going to Las Vegas and Mardi Gras. In the same month. This just screams "great idea".

In other news, the Byer family is seriously looking at relocating. Mom and I hate this house, and I have always had a... special love... for suburbs.

So we're looking at moving out into the country a bit more. Perhaps a bit smaller house, but with 10 or so acres. Perhaps buying a lot and building. Not real sure yet, this is just real preliminary. All that will mean to you guys that come here on a regular basis is you'll get off at 37 instead of 31. I'm sure you all can manage.

What else. The grandparents are back, and they are finally being civil to me. On top of that, my father and I are actually getting along, which makes me wonder if I'm mentally ill.

I've been stressing out about some other things recently, and in the process probably causing some stress to those who are putting up with me.

So Erin, Rae, Ben, thanks.

This is the most horrific blog entry I have written to date I think, the only thing that could make it worse is if I added some !!!!!!1!11!11!one's to it. My sincerest apologies to you all, at some point I'll perhaps start to actually post entries with content.

But I doubt it.

Happy Valentine's Day

2005-02-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

Well, my Valentine's has been very romantic.

I woke up this morning, poured myself breakfast in bed, and downed a handle of Gentleman Jack. Then I passed out, and woke up around noon.

Perfect start to a perfect day.

From there I detailed stripped my beautiful hunk of black polymer, polished the internals, and cleaned up the break over and reset point. At least I have my baby to spoil rotten.

I then hopped online, and argued the point of this holiday with others on various forums. We concluded that it was the fault of the romance novel writer, and that Hallmark is simply cashing in on the market.

I then went to Gander Mountain to get my Valentine some better fodder, since I felt bad feeding her Winchester. She loved her box of Speer GoldDots, and told me she couldn't be happier. And you thought I wasn't the romantic.

I sense the start of a beautiful friendship here.

I then dined on a romantic dinner at Taco Bell, and even sprung for the cinnamon twists. Like I said, I went all out.

Tonight I plan on dry firing my baby some more, then causing myself to pass out due to beverages consumed.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Quote: "One day my prince will come, but until then, I'll just keep kissing frogs." as quoted by SouthernGirl, a friend of mine from GT.
Song: Live This Life, Big and Rich

Interesting day yesterday.

2005-02-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

So I went to tour the Hamilton County Fish and Game Club yesterday, before I spend the money and invest the energy to join.

I got to bust a few clays, do some minimal 7m shooting, and just get a tour of the place.

Then I saw someone interesting. This guy was shooting at the 200m mark, with a rifle which was pretty much unlike any I had ever seen. Well, I had seen one before, but never in person.

So I wander up to him, and ask him if he minds if I watch him a bit. He doesn't care, so I grab a spotting scope and sit back to watch him shoot.

Damn. He was shooting at NRA 50m targets, 'cept he was doing it from 200m. And hitting the 9-10 ring again and again.

So... as he's taking a break, I start chatting with him. His name is Matt Emmons he says, and he's here from Alaska visiting a sick aunt. We chat some more, and I learn he competes, hence the target rifle.

So we chat some more, he shoots another round, then he asks me if I'd like to do one. Well, not being able to say no to the thought of a $30,000 gun, I of course say yes. We walks me through the operation of it, I shoot (first time ever from 200m), all the while with him coaching me through it.

I take a break, and notice something for the first time. On the stock of his rifle is a sticker that says Athens 2004, Team USA.

The red flags go up in my head.

I ask him, and he all nonchalantly tells me that yeah, he was on the Team USA shooting team these last Olympics.

So wow, I just shot with an Olympic athlete, ten minutes away from my house. Pretty wild. We shoot for another hour, I need to leave, and bid him a goodbye, but before I go of course need to get his autograph.

I get home, google his name, and well... this is what I find.

Holy shit. I just shot with an Olympic Gold Medalist.

So sorry for the long winded post, but for some reasons I'm still kinda excited about this.

Now I'm going to bed.

2005-02-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

I remember when I sold $2,000 and thought I was hot shit.

I'm writing songs that I sing in a Café and sometimes I write about them...

2005-02-08T17:31:00.000-05:00

I miss my friends.

I composed this song while sitting in a coffee shop with Ben yesterday, as our minds drifted to lives gone by.

It's entitled Recognized Beauty.

At one of those quaint pavement cafés
Sipping coffee from a styrofoam cup
With one of those lids with little holes
That won't let you drink properly
She left smudges of color from her mouth
Red lips smeared on the white plastic
I'm not sure if it was her right shade
Her dark eyes sparkled under dark hair
Seemingly fragile and delicate
All I could think of was that picture
The perfect image that she was
As obvious as that may sound

It's not every day you see something
Quite as special as I did today
Such a simple little thing
To recognize beauty where it lies

There was some silly book in her hand
A romance about dark forbidden lovers
Thin fingers turned yellowed pages
A tender smile played on her lips
And those dark eyes scoured over the lines
She had an element of elegance and grace
The careful posture, the crossed legs
Sweeping back a lock behind an ear
Almost oblivious to the world
And I couldn't help but smile
At the perfect image that she was
That I'd keep in mind for a long time

It's not every day you see something
Quite as special as I did today
Such a simple little thing
To recognize beauty where it lies

"American Soldier" captured. How tragic.

2005-02-01T19:46:00.000-05:00

First, read this article.

For those of you too lazy to click, here's the picture of a "captured American soldier" posted on an Islamic Extremist site.

Tragic, isn't it? Now click here.

That's not a soldier, that's a G.I. Joe baby, yeah!

Yep, if you were clever you caught that. That's no soldier, that's an action figure.

You'll notice the "gun" held to his head also. I have no idea what that is. It looks like it wants to be an M16 (American issues assault rifle) but well, it isn't. And that type of terrorists use M16s? None of 'em, they're all using Russian made (and mass produced) AK-47s. But if you look at the product picture, you'll see it's actually the "gun" the figure comes with. How interesting. They're holding a plastic figure hostage with his own included plastic gun.

How ironic.

So what we have here my friends, is a hoax. Someone at the Associated Press needs to retire, and I award this with a tag.

Edited to add: CNN just added this to thier site. A day late, and a dollar short.

2005-01-26T16:55:00.000-05:00

One of my snakes died this morning. He's been fighting a bad skin infection, and I guess it finally got the best of him.

And we thought he was doing better. Funny how attached you can get to the stupid little guys.

Le sigh.

2005-01-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

Do not consider this the end. Consider this a simple hiatus.

Update'd!

2005-01-16T11:25:00.000-05:00

Ben came down Friday, took a test at Wayne Saturday morning, then he and I hung the rest of the day. Grabbed food with Bradford and Laura at Khourey's, would have invited Rachael but she's a liar.

I'm going down to Cinci this afternoon, getting there once Ben gets off work. From there we'll head down to UK to see Sarita, Liz, and Mr. Fluffy Tail.

And cook beercan chicken.

I'll be back probably sometime earlyish Tuesday, if any of you care. Give the cell a hollar if you care.

-John

2005-01-15T20:24:00.000-05:00

Anderson, Indiana made the front page of CNN! Go us!

Updatedesque

2005-01-13T20:52:00.000-05:00

I've been sandbagging up and down the White River the last three days. And chainsawing. I now have the Hamilton County Disaster Manager's number in my cell. And he has mine in his.

This rain sucks.

Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree...

2005-01-11T05:49:00.000-05:00

I just learned that a guy that was in my scout troop, long ago and far away, was killed in Iraq earlier this week.

Luke was my first patrol leader. Details are still pending, I don't even know what branch he served under.

Bless his family.

Believe in blue.

2005-01-09T22:20:00.000-05:00

So the Colts won. Yay team.

Staff banquet was today. Ashamed to say I had a blast. Probably because I'm still in the cool kids club.

Or something to that effect.

Odd, that for the first time in over a year I am 100% happy.

But... that's a topic for another night.

Hope you're all still alive, have power and water, you know, stuff like that.

I'm gonna stop lookin' back and start movin' on...

2005-01-09T01:13:00.000-05:00

...and learn how to face my fears.

So the rundown from the last few days...

Ben and Brad came up and hung out for a few days. Ben and I took down part of a tree at 2AM. I got to play with a timberhitch and the Jeep. My purpose in life is fufilled.

Parentals got a new snowblower today. So now more shoveling. But... they also got a Stihl chainsaw. This means nothing to any of you. You're all like wow, um, fantastic. But this means John gets to take down three trees tommorow.

We have four inches of snow, and two of ice, by the way.

Anyway. Interviewed Friday. They laughed at me when I told them I wanted to come back. Bad sign.

Firecrafter Mid Winter Dinner was tonight. High Leaf returned. "Congradulations" to the new canidates.

Apparently I'm going to the all staff banquet dealie tommorow, because Sox and Nathan have stuff they want to plot about. Something new and different.

So, um... that's life I guess?

This is turning into one of those contentless blogs that I hate so much, isn't it?

Meh, fuck it if they can't take a joke.

2005-01-08T02:02:00.000-05:00

Santa. santa, santa, santa...

Thought about a bedroom window, thought about you and me...

2005-01-04T01:34:00.000-05:00

Hung out with Rachael and Laura for the majority of this past day. Not sure if I'll ever recover.

And Rachael broke my ankle.

Tomorrow (today, really) I'm at Agape for several hours.

That is all.

Resolve this.

2005-01-03T01:04:00.000-05:00

"I resolve to mercilessly abuse my illusions and smack stupidity in the mouth. I resolve to never acquire a taste for the bitter lies I am fed. I am making a resolution for revolution! This year, I resolve to change the world."

--Boondocks, 12/26/04

2005-01-02T21:24:00.000-05:00

Here's a llama, there's a llama, and another little llama. Funny llama, fuzzy llama. llama, llama, duck.

2004-12-31T11:55:00.000-05:00

Out of here for a few days. Hope everyone has a happy New Year.

Home

2004-12-30T18:30:00.000-05:00

Sweet, young and pretty this girl of the city
She knows what she knows, and goes where she goes
She left home at twenty, left behind plenty
And broke the sweet hearts of many young men

Said'
I'll not miss the schemers in this city of dreamers
So I'll take what I've got and be on my way
For I'll wander and roam and find a new home
No more walking the banks with the boys of the glen

She's been from Bandon, to London and right back Dublin, but
The worlds filled with stories of hearts going home
New York to Paris, from Berlin to Rome
This worlds filled with stories of hearts heading home

Without any warning she called home this morning
Oh my hearts filled with pity, how I miss the old city
All its schemers and dreamers, and faithful believers
And walking the banks with the boys of the glen

I've been from Bandon, to London and right back to Dublin, but
The worlds filled with stories of hearts going home
New York to Paris, from Berlin to Rome
This worlds filled with stories of hearts heading home

Now this hearts going home...
This hearts heading home

Written by me, cords forthcoming.

2004-12-27T17:10:00.000-05:00

I have just been informed I am attending the Rascal Flatts concert on January 28th.

Sweet.

2004-12-27T14:25:00.000-05:00

Rice crispy treats are the greatest food ever concieved by the human mind.

That is all.

2004-12-26T23:48:00.000-05:00

My friends, on this, the day after Christmas, I ask you all this question:

Who the fuck names a holiday Boxing Day?!?

Merry Christmas

2004-12-25T01:57:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Take a moment today to stop and think of how truly blessed we all are, and to remember those less fortunate than us.

And as always, may God bless those who are overseas, unable to spend the holidays here with family.

OMGZ IDS SNOWING!!!1!!11one

2004-12-22T22:11:00.000-05:00

Um... that's all.

2004-12-20T23:40:00.000-05:00

Wearing our passions, our hopes and our t-shirts and jeans...

2004-12-20T23:04:00.000-05:00

...dancin' with dreams.

Random, impulsive weekends with friends are the only thing that keeps me sane anymore.

I was informed by Laura Thursday that I was going to the staff weekend. Now I haven't been to a weekend in probably nine months, for the simple reason that I have no desire to see about 95% of the staff, nor jump through the hoops that they expect me to.

But... I made a few calls Thursday night, and got some Friday activities lined up, so decided to go down to camp, if nothing else to see a few people and chill with the BM.

So I hit Bloomington 1ish, called Erin and Tim, and met them at S'n'S for some food type activities. Tom was working, he' a loser, at some point I may even get the time to have a face to face with him and take care of issues that are all my doing.

Anyway, Nathan met us towards the end, so chilled with him for awhile too.

Since Brad was at camp Friday, I headed here, and chilled with him and Stymie for the majority of the rest of the evening. At some point Brad and I hit up the Cabin for some burgers. God how I missed them.

Met up with Rachael and Laura, and caught up with them for over an hour.

Saturday the girls left, and I was a ranger with Stymie and Jim... repairing the QM floor, leading the service crew, building a deck and the like. In the process proved that I can't eyeball things worth a damn, nor can I work a small drill bit. Typical spend a weekend at Ransburg stuff.

I'm fairly certain the fact that Ben and Brad and I can randomly come down to camp during staff weekends, hang with Stymie, and be there but not really be part of the weekend must drive Matt up the wall.

Damn.

Saturday night Stymie and I headed to Cinci to pick up his car. Long story.

I spent the night at Ben's, we chilled for a bit, then I crashed pretty hard. Woke up, got fed off the hook food by his mom, then headed home.

The BM forgot his hygiene type stuff, so I met him at Arnold's and we ran around some, picked up Alicia from the zoo, etc. Got accused by Alicia of encouraging Stymie's bad habits too.

Yeah, that would never happen.

So... back home. People may be coming over Wednesday through Friday? I'm kidnapping Rae and making her come too?

Sarah is in a wreck by the way. She's alright, and not her car, but shaken up some.

So... that's life right now.

Strangely comfortable.

Watched him heal a blind man...

2004-12-16T16:29:00.000-05:00

...and now I see.

It's an odd sensation, being able to for once stand from the outside and look in, with the truly impartial views of one not involved in it anymore.

Truly liberating, to tell you the truth.

Truth... what an odd concept.

What is truth? Does it not vary from person to person? Is not truth closely intertwined with one's viewpoints? And is it not human nature to take those truths, and... mold it to fit out own beliefs and perspectives?

And when one says they are looking for the truth... what do they really seek? And more importantly, why? Will the answer to one question really set us all free from the invisible bonds we have conjured for ourselves? And who created those bonds, and why?

In the end, is not truth truly a matter of perspective?

Open your eyes to the world. You will be amazed at the answers you will find, that have been staring you in the face all along.

But bewarned... these answers will not lead to solace, but instead to more questions.

It is a never-ending process, a chain that cannot be broken.

Self-pity.

2004-12-13T13:28:00.000-05:00

Since the over abundance of comments asking me to post again have shown me that no one really gives a damn if I post or not, I won't really apologize for having been slacking off.

And for those of you who keep asking about my LJ... STFU. Thank you.

Ok, so news in my world.

Friend of mine died last night in a car crash. He had been drinking. And driving.

Three weeks ago, a friend of mine died in a car crash. He has been drinking. And driving.

Three weeks ago, a friend of mine got in a car crash. He was hit by a friend of mine. Who had been drinking. And driving. He's in a coma.

What the hell did I ever see in any of these people???

I guess I'm going to Care tonight. Less because I want to, and more because it's on my way to Bloomington, so I might as well.

So Care, then camp tonight. Hang at camp, then down to Cinci to get Ben home. Hang at Ben's? Be home at some point? Leave again Friday for an unknown destination? 21st birthdays rock?

I love not being home. Life is so much easier.

What else?

I'm teaching myself to play guitar. On my Christmas present. And I'm suppressing myself, because I'm actually picking it up without too many issues. I can play random scales, and parts of several songs. Whoever guess the first song I learn wins a "get out of a kick in the junk" coupon. I'll give you a hint. Dylan sang it.

So... yeah.

I'm gonna go argue with the transmission brackets on the Jeep until the damn thing shifts how it should. And by argue I mean take a saw-zaw/dremel/right angle-grinder-if-I-can-steal-one to it.

Then shower.

Then get the hell out of Dodge.

Quote: I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself.

Song: Babylon, David Gray

Stones taught me to fly.

2004-12-06T18:25:00.000-05:00

Why do I insist on continuing to lie to myself?

The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.

2004-12-05T19:51:00.000-05:00

Who watched the interview with Bob Dylan tonight on 60 Minutes?

Destiny and bargains with the "supreme commander".

::sigh::

Boxes and apples.

2004-12-01T21:19:00.000-05:00

These last few days, spent with friends, away from the pressures of home did more for me then anything else ever could have.

In the end, all small boxes are the same. Male or female, we both share the same common fears. Fear of failure in a relationship, of being hurt again, and of hurting that one person we have feelings for. Even more though, the fear of never even finding that one person.

Determined that we all act the same way, around the ones we truly care about. The nervousness isn't exclusive to one side of the table. You all see the suave versions of us. What a joke.

And in the end, all my friends, are either from the smallest of boxes, or the tallest of apples.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2004-11-25T23:29:00.000-05:00

Edit: for the first, and possibly last time ever, edited

Thank God I'm alive, well fed, and have clothes on my back.

Feed my eyes...

2004-11-24T21:09:00.000-05:00

...can you sew them shut?

Guess I should update this, if nothing else to quiet the peasants. Except you all care about this as much as I do, it appears.

Oh well, we'll call it satisfying some weird emotional calling of mine then.

Let's see.

Spent the weekend with Ben. Moved my room around. Like really moved it around. Can no longer find anything. Chances are it's on the futon though. Bitched about women.

I still blame all the world's problems on the clitoris.

Hung out with Lindsey. Initiated the "I have no idea where this is going, so I'll be offended if you don't date other people also. Just realize I'm going to do the same."

And she was cool with it.

Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Desire rating: 0%

Cousins won't be there. Nor will the step family/cousin dealie. Byers and the grandparents only. Which translates to let's bitch at John regarding every choice he has ever made in his life. I should be majoring in business or accounting. Not medicine. Should not even consider going to an out of state school, regardless of what I can get into, and what their schools actually offer. Nor should I be spending time at Agape, or be active in Scouting.

Makes one wonder what I AM suppose to do.

Fuck that shit.

Monday went in for radiology testing on my left wrist. The possibilities were:

a) bone cancer
b) tumor
c) infection
d) broken bone(s)
e) juvenile arthritis
f) long ago sports injury that just won't heal
g) who the hell knows

If you guessed E, then congrats, it looks like you have an 85% chance of being correct. Found out the results tonight.

Just what I fucking want to deal with. Guess that rules out cardiology for a career.

So what the fuck ever.

It's snowing outside. Can I get a big fuck that?

No? Fine. See if I give a damn.

I'm moving to Mexico. To raise penguins. And emus. And ponies. Lots and lots of ponies.

So now I'm off to go listen to mad at the world music now. Or country.

Or play Evercrack. But I can stop whenever I want to.

I swear.

-j

Quote: "Just remember, quitting is for quitters." Ben
Song: Dry Country Girl, Rascal Flatts

2004-11-15T22:57:00.000-05:00

Bury me softly in this womb
I give this part of me for you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Holding rare flowers
In a tomb...in bloom

Down in a hole and I don’t know if I can be saved
See my heart I decorate it like a grave
You don’t understand who they
Thought I was supposed to be
Look at me now a man
Who won’t let himself be

Down in a hole, feelin’ so small
Down in a hole, losin’ my soul
I’d like to fly,
But my wings have been so denied

Down in a hole and they’ve put all
The stones in their place
I’ve eaten the sun so my tongue
Has been burned of the taste
I have been guilty
Of kicking myself in the teeth
I will speak no more
Of my feelings beneath

Down in a hole, feelin’ so small
Down in a hole, losin’ my soul
I’d like to fly but my
Wings have been so denied

Bury me softly in this womb
Oh I want to be inside of you
I give this part of me for you
Oh I want to be inside of you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Holding rare flowers (oh I want to be inside of you)
In a tomb...in bloom
Oh I want to be inside...

Down in a hole, feelin’ so small
Down in a hole, losin’ my soul
Down in a hole, feelin’ so small
Down in a hole, outta control
I’d like to fly but my
Wings have been so denied

2004-11-14T01:20:00.000-05:00

I feel horrible. Throat, head, wishing I was dead.

Didn't go to Agape Friday. Didn't go riding with Lindsey either. Didn't even go to Bradford's party.

Dieing.

I think something about 150 prrof would solve most of my problems.

Or at least make it so I couldn't feel them.

Look at me now, a man who won't let himself be

2004-11-10T15:52:00.000-05:00

Well I'm awake now.

unfortunately I'm back from Kentucky. Got up at 5:30 this morning, and drove from Cinci to home, to get here in time for my 9 class at Agape. So that was an interesting morning.

Had a blast these past couple of days, thanks to Sarah and Liz for letting us crash at their place.

Found out some interesting things too this weekend, some that I would have preferred not to know, but it seems that's the way life goes.

This weekend we're all gonna go party at Bradford's, unless I end up going wheeling at the Cliffs with Todd.

Choices, choices.

But I always wake up everytime I try to turn back...

2004-11-08T13:06:00.000-05:00

Off to Kentucky for a couple of days. Away from the drama, conflict, heartache, and confusion.

Can't say I'm going to miss it terribly.

2004-11-07T15:52:00.000-05:00

Back from IMON. Instead oh 12 hours of fun, it was twelve hours of boring, getting bitched at, hell.

Only redeemer was hanging out with Rachael, Jess, Orval, and Mike.

On top of it, mom has decided that bronchitus is a great idea.

On an totally differnt note, I miss geocaching. I love fall, and haven't really gone out to play since camp ended. So... I expect to do that a fair amount this week. If anyone wants to join, perhaps even this upcoming weekend (if I'm not doing anything), hit me up, and invite yourself.

Tommorow I'm off to Kentucky, to Ben's first, then to UK to hang with Sarita. Should be back Tuesday eveningish.

Quote: "The best class was this semster of religion. It was like sex-ed, only we did activities." -Rachael

Song: White Houses or Devil Came Down to Georgia. You pick.

2004-11-04T19:47:00.000-05:00

SCOOTER IS A MEDIC!!!

The morning after...

2004-11-02T23:07:00.000-05:00

One November 3, assuming we have a decision, America will wake up to either a President returning to office or a newly elected one. To the victor goes a nation divided. A nation split over its place in the world, over its basic values, over its future direction. No matter who wins, the Uncivil War is likely to continue. After such a venomous campaign, will it be possible to pick up the pieces, bridge the gaps and reunite the United States? To restore trust-not only in our leaders but also in one another?

The stakes are higher than we could ever imagine.

2004-11-02T17:37:00.000-05:00

Voted today. We'll see what happens in a few hours.

Song: Self Evident, Ani Difranco

A Jeepkin? Jeep-O-Lantern?

2004-10-27T22:58:00.002-05:00

Best pumkin ever?

(kudos to Jeff)

Video!

2004-10-26T22:51:00.000-05:00

Some footage of this past weekend, if any of you care to check it out. It's like 33mb, so I'd just download it. Most of the footage is stuff Jerry and Amy took, but some of it is my stuff too.

Check it out.

Weekend wheelin' pics. Dial up, beware.

2004-10-25T20:42:00.000-05:00

Four Rubicons (eight went Saturday)...

Jerry (aka medic). Stuck.

Todd playing on the rocks...

And one of Don...

Jerry spotting my n00b ass... (got winched out later further up the rocks)

Gotta love the fall...

Jerry and one of his daughters getting ready to help this silver Rubi that we encountered. Amy with her nose under the Jeep, and Todd looking smug in the background.

And last but not least, Katie the trail dog, who spend the whole weekend sleeping in the Jeep as we were wheeling, as well as informing Todd that Moe fell down the trail. And needed help.

The trip rocked, ran white, green, then orange in less then an hour and a half.

And... I'm going to Moab early next summer, and probably missing some camp because of it. Oh well. Camp or wheeling Utah's sliprock.

No contest.

Hokay, so...

2004-10-22T15:06:00.000-05:00

Here is the post. Damn, that is a sweet post, you may say.

Short.

So here's the deal. Agape in the morning. Agape in the evening. Sounds like some sort of song. And I have a new project to do there. Apparently since I know how to work a drill, I'm handy. Imagine that. Now the question is, can I fit 2x4"s in the Jeep?

And yes Ben, I totally scored a dinner date with the chick. More details will follow.

I'm off to Badlands offroad park tonight with the mother and the four legged one. Staying until Sunday. Wheeling for a day and a half. Rock the fuck on.

Jeff, Josh, and Derrick are gonna be there too. So it's gonna be mad fun. Pictures should come soon after, but I'll need to find a place to host them.

So, um, in closing remember to look both ways before crossing the street. Or don't. See if I care.

-J

2004-10-18T15:38:00.000-05:00

I'm home.

Tired, sore, sickly, but home.

Saturday I spent with Jim and Stymie splitting oak all day with the hydraulic splitter. Sarah, Brad, and Ben got there later that evening, so it was a late night.

Yesterday we went to work at the corral at Brown County, were I promptly got my ass handed to me by a 3 year old where I probably shouldn't have. So that sucked, took me half an hour to get back in the groove, but then I was good the rest of the day. Rode a couple of rides, did all sorts of work, and determined that 320 pounds of hay is heavy.

Crashed there again last night, but not before getting $70 worth of food for free at Applebee's.

Got up today, drove home in the rain, then promptly crashed for a few hours. So now I'm running on maybe 12 hours of sleep for the past few days.

Right on.

Tonight is a Care meeting, then shortly after I get home from that, Ben and Brad are gonna roll up and chill.

Tomorrow Ben and I are going to Broadripple to check out a CJ7 for him, then my guess is we'll swoop by Kourey's and grab some food. So Ben's here 'till Wednesday morning, Brad... who knows.

I'm gonna go grab a shower, since I smell like all sorts of aromatic things.

2004-10-16T05:45:00.000-05:00

In Bloomington for the weekend, hanging out with the ranch staff.

I should be back Sunday evening or Monday morning.

2004-10-15T01:51:00.000-05:00

Liberating, isn't it?

Back. Blah. :-\

2004-10-12T20:58:00.000-05:00

So I'm back from Kentucky, where I must say I had an awesome time.

Bradford and I were mad late to getting to Cinci, and Ben was mad bitter, but I got a hat and boots, and I must say, Grizzly pulls off the cowboy look fairly well. So yes, duster will come later this week, now that I know I have enough money to actually get it.

So we got to Ben's, met him, and Allen ended up rolling with us down to UK, which always makes for an amusing trip.

So at Sarah's there was the five of us, plus Dev, her roommate, and her roommate's boyfriend. So yeah, crazy, crazy, fun times.

And the onion rings were nasty. As are chemo farts. But Mr. Fluffy Tail rocks. Especially when she goes into Allen's sleeping bag and bites his feet. And our room sounded like a construction zone. It was great.

And Sarah, you totally looked. It would be so much easier to just stop denying it. ;)

So yeah, this post isn't coherernt, but whatever. Bradford and I made it back alive without windshield wipers, so I'm happy.

Tomorrow I have my class at Agape, plus another I'm picking up, plus the extended ed class the farrier is doing. So it's gonna be crazy.

But I have boots. And a hat. Yeehaw.

Song: Skin, Rascal Flatts

Roadtrip, baby.

2004-10-11T11:49:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm headed to Kentucky with Bradford in a few, where we're gonna go to Cropper's house and chill there. From Ben's we're gonna roll to UK and hang with Sarita until sometime Tuesday.

Cell is with me, I just might answer.

2004-10-11T01:25:00.001-05:00

I miss geocaching.

2004-10-08T15:29:00.000-05:00

So I totally got held up today at Taco Bell. And we totally tackled the dumb bastard that tried to rob the joint.

It was grand.

Now I'm off to drop the dog off, pick up Laura (maybe), then go to the encampment for the weekend.

I have the cell, so you know what to do.

Oh, and congrats to Rachael, who I'm sure did an awesome on her routine today.

The rundown.

2004-10-04T22:58:00.000-05:00

Suckered into more Agape classes.
Toys for the Jeep.
Care meeting.
Steak and Shake with John, Rae, and Orval after the meeting.
Hung with Rachael for like half an hour there after the others left.
Got stuck in construction for 20 minutes on the way home.
Jeep was in neutral.
Parking break was on.
It sucked.
Now I'm home.
I think my finger is broke.
I blame it on Laura.

The end.

2004-10-04T13:14:00.000-05:00

SpaceShipOne won the X Prize today, and we have a volcano that's going to explode.

Pay attention, friends, this is the Kittyhawk of our generation.

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams

2004-10-03T23:49:00.000-05:00

For those of you who weren't aware, I spent this weekend at Cliffty Falls State Park with Laura, and her troop, along with Nick.

There are so many things that I could say about this weekend, but none of them would make much sense to any of you that read it.

The feelings that are triggered inside me when I am outside... I cannot explain. It's a feeling that is hidden away from most the majority of the time, but to me, it is always there, nagging at the back of my mind, until I am able to set it free. It is the only time I feel truly alive, truly at peace. Outside, things make sense, and the world becomes crystal clear, my senses sharpen in that crisp fall air.

All I can say is that I am very glad that I went.

The company was good, and I found myself missing not having a troop of my own. I wish I had not given that up so long ago, but that's all in the past. Never the less, it was nice.

I learned things that I'm glad I did, but wish that I could have remained naive to.

All I can really say is that I'm glad I went. It was good to get away from it all.

-John

Song: Rocky Mountain High, John Denver

2004-09-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

God, I feel like Bradford and Scooter. I'm such a man whore.

Rock the fuck on.

a little yellow squeaky thing that somethetimes steals my ladytypes.

2004-09-29T21:32:00.000-05:00

Hey, so, yeah....this is Laura!!! Updating for John...because, well, he's a lazy ass.
So, there's agape. Which made his leg turn yellowish-greenish.
The jeep is sick. :( It's getting new toys, though, apparently. He's totally a jeepwhore, too - in a jeep club with other jeep-freaks.
There are new blonde girl prospectives... :)
This weekend he is going camping with moi, nick, and my dad's troop at Clifty Falls, which should be beautiful. He's teaching me how to properly photograph stuff, I guess?
Rae and Jess ditched us for this trip, btw. uncool.
Let's see, there's playing in the mud and hanging with Brad and Cropper atsomepoint.
I think? I can't remember.
Well, that's it.

This blog needs happy thoughts, people. So, no more bickering unless it's nice or otherwise really interesting. Not that I'm a gossipwhore or anything. ;)
Later peoples :)

2004-09-23T23:25:00.000-05:00

To start with Mike, let me say that if you have any good sources for the status of these two bills, I would appreciate it if you either posted them here, or email me personally. For the past several days I have been doing some serious looking into them, and must say, I find that most of the resources lacking, to say the least.

So, having said that, I’m just going with my gut feeling on the issue, realizing I haven’t done much other then just read the bills. So, while I’m not as familiar with it as I would like, here are my thoughts.

So, here’s the summary on the two bills, for those of you that aren’t familiar with it, or who think it won’t effect you if it passes.

S.89
Title: A bill to provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Hollings, Ernest F. [SC] (introduced 1/7/2003)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

H.R.163
Title: To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 1/7/2003)
Cosponsors: 14
Latest Major Action: 2/3/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

So there you go ladies and gentleman, as you can see, they both read the same.

Now, what this means, among other things, is that when women turn 18, they must also fill out a draft form. That’s the least of the concerns though.

This means that everyone between the ages of 18-26 must serve a mandatory two years in the military, or “a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security”.

A mandatory two years. Males and females both. Now, if you have religious issues with this, you still have to serve, however in a non-combat role.

My first question is what is the civilian role that they talk about? I have been able to find no good, reliable references to what would count as this, so Mike if you (or anyone else) knows more, please, let me know.

Now how do I feel about this?

I feel that service to ones country should be a personal decision, and is much like forcing a child to say prayers when he doesn’t believe in God.

I myself have not ruled out service in the armed service, but for me, it would be a means to an end, as I would want to perform a job related to the medical field. For me, it would be a way to get new experience, and a new perspective on whatever field of medicine.

However, for many people it is not a realistic solution. And I can appreciate that.

Forcing someone to go into the military when they do not believe in it is not good for anyone, the country, or the people involved. The military is not something to be taken lightly, and if your heart is not 100% into it, in my eyes you have no reason to be there.

I do not find someone who does not wish to serve unpatriotic. One can be a civilian their whole lives, and still be a patriot.

Will I serve if I must, albeit grudgingly? Yes.

However, I do feel that if these bills are passed, the government will be taking away the freedom of choice.

And may I point out that we are still in a time of peace. Iraq is not a war. Afghanistan is not a war.

Granted, over one thousand American troops have died. But we have not declared war on a country. Then again, we haven’t for decade, but that doesn’t make the cost of American lives any less, or any less meaningful.

No, in the end, I am strongly, strongly against these bills, as I feel that much of the American public is. If they pass… well, I hope that everyone is truly ready for the backlash and repercussions that it will cause.

2004-09-23T20:33:00.000-05:00

Another reason not to vote for Bush.

Update. Mostly to shut Laura up.

2004-09-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

Monday: Agape volunteer training night, session 1. This is a horse.

Tuesday: Sure parents, that car looks fine, buy it if you want.

Wednesday Morning: What, you need me to come in to Agape this morning and work? Do you care that I haven't finished the course? No? I'll be there in fifteen then.

Wednesday Night: Agape volunteer training night, final session. This is a saddle.

Thursday: Teach CPR

Friday: Lynyrd Skynryd concert with Rachael and crew.

Saturday: 4WD Jamobree at the Fair Grounds with ROF. Pit crewing?

So yeah, that's what the week looks like. I'm still on this amazing high from this morning, working with those kids and the horses... wow, I can't even begin to describe to you what it feels like.

Just so awesome.

For now though, I'm going to bed.

2004-09-22T02:41:00.000-05:00

I have a real problem with this...

Song: Peace Train, Cat Stevens

2004-09-20T16:34:00.000-05:00

Eh, Comrade?

Congratulations are in order...

2004-09-19T22:50:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Sox, Nathan, DOB, Andrew Saywell, and Bill Thomas for standing their Vigil this weekend.

Mike, here's my reply.

2004-09-17T21:09:00.000-05:00

Hey Mike, welcome back. I never claimed that it was the solution to anything, I’m aware that all it does is examine past legislative restrictions.

Yes, I feel that there should be gun control.

As I said, in my eyes the solution is not banning the individual weapon, it is banning the individual. I think the first thing that needs to be done is find someway to oversee the gun shows. There are so many sketchy under the table deals that go on there, something needs to be done.

After giving this some thought tonight, I think that there are several ways to go about gun control, but it must be done in a way that does not infringe on the rights of privacy of the American gun owning citizens. The chief complaint of the Patriot Act is that it infringes on the basic rights of the people. If you go about it by this approach, people will not abide.

I think that whatever changes are made need to be made nationally, not state by state. Start with weapons permits in general. I personally feel that if someone purchases a weapon, they need to wait for an FBI background check, and the serial number would also be recorded. A national database, if you would. Some will argue that it is still infringing rights, but there are several states that do it already, so I don’t see why it would be a huge deal, other then just general principles. I know that personally I would have no issues with it. In a perfect world, the ballistic patterns of each weapon would be recorded at the factory by serial number, which would be available to LEA. This would make the closing of violent crimes easier in my eyes, and at the same time not infringe the rights of the people. How is having bullet ballistics an infringement on your rights?

Like I said, I don’t think it is.

The second part is iffier… screening people for… issues. The recent shooting in Indy was by a mentally unstable suspect, but the government had no way that it was able to seize his weapons, even though they knew he was a threat. To tell you the truth, I have no idea how to solve this easily. Perhaps instead of states being shall issue, give the local LEA a certain amount of screening power. If they deny your permit, you can file an appeal. Again, I know that several states use this system already, and while I have no statistics I can share with you, I do think that it potentially has the ability to reduce violent crimes.

I also think that in order to get a permit, you must show proof that you have successfully completed a safety and skills course with whatever class of weapon you apply for. Having a permit is one thing. Owning a weapon is another. Being competent with that weapon is something entirely different. For things like firearm safety, the only way you improve on safety is educating people on proper techniques.

Also, weapons need to be categorized better then the current class 1, 2, 3 system. Age restrictions need to be set, along with deeper checks for persons purchasing potentially more lethal weapons. I think different permits are key here. In keeping with the class system, a class 1 is your basic hunting/travel permit. A class 2 would be your carrying concealed or in vehicle, with a class 3 being you’re more iffy firearms. I know this is the way the current system is set up, but it varies so much from state to state (and even city to city) it falls short.

So… I would propose a national database by person, class, serial number(s) and ballistic test results. Coupled with proper training and national guidelines, I think it would at least improve things.

I also propose national reciprocity on all permits. Cities would of course have the right to propose their own bans on firearms within their limits if they feel the need.

Currently, since I hold an Indiana CCW, I can carry in Indiana, along with MI, KY, TN, NC, AL, GA. FL, MO, VT, OK, ND, SD, CO, AK, MT, WY, ID, and UT. So… quite the list that I can legally carry with just one IN permit. So why not have the whole country? Again, to me a national system just makes sense.

So Mike, sorry for the longer post, but that’s just what I can come up with from the top of my head.

Again, all thoughts are welcome, but keep it civil.

Touché

2004-09-17T16:10:00.000-05:00

Alright you want to be educated? Fine, here we go.

Let's talk assault weapons ban. First off, realize that there were several parts to this ban.

The first part was banning "assault weapons". We'll get to that later. The second is your ban on high capacity magazines. We'll start here.

So, the ban was on magazines with a capacity of ten rounds or more. So called "staggered" magazines, which through a different stacking pattern enables several more rounds per magazine, while keeping the factory dimensions. Still with me?

Now, what many of you probably don?t realize is that while the manufacturing of these magazines may have been banned, the use of previously made ones was completely legal, protected by a ?grandfather law?. Now, what was banned was the manufacturing of these 10+ magazines. NOT the various components. What this means is that I can go on eBay or an online dealer and buy all the parts to assemble an extended magazine, put it together myself, and achieve the same end result.

Legally.

On top of that, there are magazine extenders, which replace the stock magazine floor plate and replaces it with a longer one, and an extended spring. Standard sizes of these range from +1 to +5, but I have seen specially made ones for a 9mm that are +15, and even up to +30.

Once again, legal.

On top of everything, if you are willing to pay the price (or know someone that is a LEO) you can purchase pre-ban mags, again, completely legally.

So, you can assemble your own, add an extension, or buy a pre-ban magazine, all legally.

So much for the high capacity magazine ban, eh?

Now? assault weapons. Granted, I will admit that I haven?t done as much research on this as I have extended magazines, mostly because to me it isn?t an issue. If you really want to start spouting off statistics of ROF and such, tell me, and two can play that game.

Let?s talk AR-15. It?s the civilian version of the US Military M-16, which has been used since Vietnam. Now, there?s one difference of the AR-15, as mojo pointed out.

It?s semi-automatic.

What does this mean? Semi-automatic means that for every time the trigger is depressed, one bullet is fire. You cannot hold the trigger down, and a continuous stream of bullets is fired.

No three round bursts, no five round bursts, no fully automatic fire.

One press, one shot.

The assault weapons that were banned are for the most part, not the military weapons. Unlike their military counterparts, they are semi-automatically. The ban also covered certain types of assault shotguns, with certain features such as a pistol style grip, or folding stock (the same type John Kerry recently was pictured with during an anti-gun campaign, not realizing it was banned? ironic, no?).

Ok, moving on.

What many people don?t realize is that the military versions of these were still available, with minimum red tape.

What am I talking about, you ask?

Let?s talk class 3 firearms dealers.

What?s a class 3 firearm dealer? It?s a licensed dealer that sells fully automatic weapons, along with items such as shroud and sound suppressors (silencers).

This is the process one would go through to purchase one of these class 3 items.

First, find a class 3 dealer. There are lists online, so that?s not a big deal. Since I?m sure none of you know, Don?s Guns is a class 3 dealer. Check their website, it has a link to automatic weapons and suppressors.

After that, you go in, start your purchase. The first step is paying a federal tax. The tax varies from state to state, but as I recall the federal tax is approximately $200. So that is sent to the ATF, along with the serial number of the weapon you are purchasing, and a healthy (8+ pages as I recall) personal history. And FBI background check is run on you, and assuming you pass, eight to twelve weeks later the proper paper work is mailed to the class 3 dealer.

That?s it ladies and gentleman. Pay a registration tax for each piece, pass an FBI check, and jump through some legal hoops.

Congratulations, you are now able to go home with a brand spanking new AK-47, M-16, UZI, MP5, or whatever your little heart desires.

So? let me get this straight. We ban semi-automatic weapons, but allow though the proper channels fully-automatic weapons.

Makes sense, doesn?t it?

Now, let?s talk incidents. For example, the most recent was the shootout in Indianapolis that one LEO was killed, and several others (including a former RA staff member) were injured.

The wacko that went around shooting was using some type of class 3 weapon. I don?t recall what it is, but if you press the issue, I?ll dig it up and figure it out if it means that much for you.

This man had previously had his weapons confiscated, but legally the government could not take his weapons away, so they were returned to him, mentally ill as he was.

And you know the results.

Now, let?s go back in time to 1997. North Hollywood, California.

Two armed men rob a bank, and come and find themselves surrounded by six or so patrol cars. The men open fire.

Both were armed with Russian made AK-47 automatic rifles along with other firearms, including a Bushmaster rifle, and wearing full body armor.

The LEO didn?t stand a chance. The .38 bullets just bounced off the armor. Meanwhile, the felons were spraying .45 bullets powerful enough to punch through the engine block of a police cruiser. Between the both of them, they had over 3000 rounds. They came to die that day.

In the end, three civilians and nine LEO had been shot, but miraculously, only one LEO lost his life.

Again all completely legally obtained class 3 weapons.

So what was my point of telling you all this, you may ask?

To start with, I?m not condoning the ownership of one of these weapon types. In my eyes, there is no need.

Having said that, to ban the arguable less lethal of the two type seems outrageous to me.

In the end, the ban had major loop holds that those supporters (and the Liberal media) always seemed to overlook.

So, in effect, that ban really was relatively worthless for anything other then the ability to wave it around and win support of the anti-gun voters.

Again, I am not arguing the whether or not these weapons should be banned or not. In my eyes I do not see them as a threat, and I know the law enforcement agencies are very divided, despite what mojo would refer to. I also have talked to several LEO, along with a former member of the SS, and their views on it vary as much as ours do.

What I hope you take out from this is that the ban was not really effective. Weapons could still be legally obtained, and were still used for violent crimes.

In my eyes, instead of banning the individual weapon, the individual should be banned. Better background checks, longer waiting periods, more restriction at gun shows, and general public awareness are what I think it will take.

So if you truly think that by myself going out and buying magazines that hold an extra three .40 Federal HydroShok rounds is somehow going to turn me into a violent, deranged killer, I think it would probably be best that among other things, you to move out of state.

I?m sure that none of you realize this, but Indiana by capita has the highest number of carrying concealed weapon (CCW, or personal defense) licenses of any state. We also have the lightest carrying laws, with schools and government buildings the only big places banned. If you would like more information on concealed carry laws in Indiana, I suggest www.packing.org as a resource to further educate yourself.

On top of that, there are five class 3 dealers in Indiana. So, if this makes you uneasy, I suggest moving to a state such as New York or Illinois were the laws are much more stringent.

Another little know fact is that during the years of the AWB, the number of "shall issue" (a state that if you qualify for a permit cannot turn you down) tripled.

So there you have it, a small look into some of the laws governing firearm usage.

I ask you to keep the comments civil. I apologize if my comment on mojo?s blog seemed belligerent, it was not meant that way. Friendly disagreement is fine, but if it gets out of hand, I will lock the comments on this post.

Again, I am not arguing the usefulness of firearms of this sort. I feel that we will agree on most points. I do however want you to realize some of the under-publicized parts of the various bans.

Update, update, update!

2004-09-17T01:01:00.000-05:00

Um, I'm updating.

Today I rode. Monday (I think?) I go through my official training so I'm under their insurance policy.

I wrote four essays. One on naturalism, and why it is truly the one undieing religion.

Don't have any idea what that is?

Google it.

My pink (CCW) card came in the mail. Time to go shopping. And after Monday's events (or lack there of) what a perfect time to.

Stuff for the Jeep also came. And got installed.

Now all I need is a MML, BL, LA, TT, and OBA.

And a money tree.

So yeah. There's my life.

Song: Screaming at the Wailing Wall, Flogging Molly

Oh, if there are more camp people who have blogs that I don't have listed, comment and let me know so I can get you (or them) up on the links list. Yeah, um, thanks.

Sad news...

2004-09-15T18:48:00.000-05:00

Come September 30th, Craig Lien will be retiring as a professional scouter.

Craig, you were an amazing DE, and a great contributor to Scouting on a whole.

You will be missed.

The update.

2004-09-12T22:57:00.000-05:00

Ok, time for me to update you on my life, instead of just little rants and random links that catch my eye.

To start off with... how am I? I'm doing really well, actually. Life is going good, and I'm happy about how things have been going for the most part.

Having said that, I miss my friends. This whole driving down to Kentucky to see people kinda sucks, but that's life.

Today was the first Firecrafter meeting that I have been to in what seems like ages. Despite all my bitching and complaining, I have to admit it feels really good to be back. I'm very impressed with the new officers, and I think this 85th anniversary year is going to be an amazing one. I'm on Ritual staff again, this time doing physical arrangements with Patrick, which is sure to be a blast. I don't know why I've had such a bad attitude about it of late, because I found today that I really did miss it.

By the way, if any of you are from PV, Orion, or Chank and would like to help me head up a Central Flame weekend event, or are willing to help me staff it, hit me up on AIM, I could use your help.

Also ran down to Broad Ripple today, swooped by Kourey's, got restocked, etc. Then it was a fly through Best Buy, pick up the Damien Rice CD that I've been digging, and head home.

Saturday was the annual Noblesville White River Clean Up, which I was again a part of (and got patches and a shirt). Among other things, I rode in an air boat, and cooked hotdogs with the new mayor. Somewhere between 1,200 and 1,400 people showed up, so it was really cool to see how this thing has grown.

Other then that, not a whole lot has been happening. School, catching up with people, working on the Jeep, that sort of thing.

I'm in the process of joining Fat Boys Jeepers, so that will give me the chance to wheel alot more often, which is good, because I've been craving it ever since. If anyone is interested in going to Badlands the weekend of Oct 22, I should have one open seat, so let me know now, and you're welcome to come if you're down with camping for the weekend.

The Red River Gorge trip is coming up soon (dates still TBD), and I can't wait for that. Seeing Ben, Brad, and Sarah, backpacking, yeah, it's gonna rock.

My official Agape training is next weekend, so I'll let you know how that goes also.

Other then that, my life has been fairly routine. I know this update has been kinda boring, but hey, it's an update, so quit complaining.

By the way, some of you guys I have really lost touch with, so hit me up sometime, and we'll find a time to get together.

I'm out. Good night all.

-J

Song: Canonball, Damien Rice

Tuesday...

2004-09-12T19:32:00.000-05:00

So who's not doing anything Tuesday? From say, 12-5? MTV's Rock the Vote is gonna be at IUPUI, and I have half a mind to go check it out.

Anybody up for a bit of politics?

2004-09-12T01:47:00.000-05:00

::drool::

Have you forgotten?

2004-09-11T15:01:00.000-05:00

Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell

May God bless the souls of the thousands that lost their lives that fateful day, three years ago. May He watch over those who lost loved ones, who watched helplessly as their whole lives came crashing down upon them. May He bless the hundreds that entered those towers with no thought of their own safety, never to walk out again. May He bless the soldiers and their families that have paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom, and help assure that American blood will never again be spilled on our soils.

America remembers you. You will never be forgotten.

2004-09-10T19:19:00.000-05:00

And with Stop the NRA's most recent add, they have now lost my support.

The ban expires Monday, and I for one plan on buying high capacity magazines when they become available again.

Geez, are my liberal views fading?

Whatever.

2004-09-09T22:55:00.000-05:00

Rachael's Blog.

2004-09-09T22:47:00.000-05:00

Click link. Watch. Say WTF?

2004-09-08T19:39:00.000-05:00

I've decided that I will not be voting in the upcoming Presidential election. The current President I don't want to see in office another term. His rival I don't want to see in office ever.

3rd party is a joke.

That is all.

2004-09-08T01:04:00.000-05:00

1000 dead.

Congradulations.