December 2005

Less than three hours until 2006! I wonder at the mystique surrounding the notion of a “new” year. It’s refreshing, I suppose, that so many consider the moment when the ball drops in Time’s Square to be a time of renewal…starting over…a new hope. Personally, I’m looking forward to putting ‘06 behind me. I’m not looking forward to being separated from my wife for the next 12 months. Thankfully, I’ll be able to get back to the States a few times–so it won’t be too terribly bad. I’m hoping the time will pass by quickly. I will, after all, due to the nature of the mission, be very busy in Korea.

Of course that doesn’t set well with my general feeling of laziness.

The appearance of my blog has changed since my days at Blogsome. I installed several new themes, but this one, with the scraps of paper taped to the black background (poster board?) is my favorite. Most of the language used in this theme was German, so I had to translate much of the text within the code, so I (and my pageviewers) could understand it. It’s been a long time since I took German and was surprised at how much I remembered. This helped me work out contextually the meaning of the words. For the stuff I couldn’t work out, there’s Babelfish for the translation!

Anyway, the theme is called “bla. 1.0″ by Steffen Becker and I found it here: themes.wordpress.net

And another tidbit of information: the eye in the favicon (that little picture in front of the web address in the “location” window of the browser) is mine.

It’s mid-afternoon and everyone is asleep, except, of course, for me (although I suppose I could be sleep-typing this post). I do feel a bit fatigued because I didn’t sleep well last night, but generally can’t nap (I wake up even more tired than I was when I laid down–kinda defeats the purpose of a nap, doncha think?). Anyway, I had a very hard time nodding off last night and didn’t get to sleep until after 3:00 a.m. I got up this morning at 8:00 because I had to run out to the base to pick up some uniforms and get my hair cut, and my folks had to have their rental car back to the agency by 9:00.

This evening we’re going to dinner at Copeland’s. Not sure what we’re doing later. Maybe light a fire in the chiminea (an outdoor fireplace) and sip some wine. The fire outside is wonderful to warm the cool night air.

Ender Wiggins, the child savant responsible for destroying the “buggers” in the great war between the earth and these horrible creatures. Ender is a creation of the author Orson Scott Card. I’m reading the first novel in a trilogy called “Speaker for the Dead,” which begins where the first tale of Ender Wiggins, “Ender’s Game,” ends.

I really enjoy Card’s stories. In the newest editions, he explains in great detail how he developed the story I’m about to read. He is very candid when discussing the difficulties he faced and the epiphany that finally led to the writing of an award winning tale.

I first read Card while in high school. The book: “Capitol.” A collection of short stories centered around the life-extending drug somec. Each story stood on it’s own, but together told the tale of an empire built on this drug and ultimately destroyed by it. The main character (or at least the character that popped up in several of the stories), Abner Doon, was the catalyst that tore down the empire of Capitol.

Card whet on to expand the short stories of “Capitol” into two other novels called “Hot Sleep” and “The Worthing Saga.” It’s funny because Card never seemed to be satisfied with the story told in “Capitol,” but I think it was his best work…at least it’s my favorite.

I’ve moved my blog from blogsome.com to a server on BlueHost.com. The blogsome site worked well enough and the WordPress interface was very easy to use, but the time it took to load during what I suppose are peak hours was simply unsatisfactory. So, I’ve opened an account with BlueHost and am happy (so far) with the loadtime and the freedom I have with WordPress now is incredible.

Although, I’m having to acquire a deeper knowledge of “CSS” than I ever needed before!

My wife and I went to see the movie, “The Family Stone,” this afternoon. It was okay, but not quite what I expected. Although there were plenty of laughs, it was much more “serious” than I expected it to be. After the movie, we drove to a little Vietnamise restaurant nearby, but they were closed for the Holiday (which was actually kind of refreshing). So, we went to Applebee’s instead.

After dinner we spent a quite evening at home. We enjoyed a lovely cup of tea and watched “The Jazz Singer” with Neil Diamond. I enjoyed this much more than the movie we saw this afternoon.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “President Bush said Saturday he personally has authorized a secret eavesdropping program in the U.S. more than 30 times since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks…” In response to the release of this information, President Bush stated in a radio address from the White House Roosevelt Room that, “(t)his is a highly classified program that is crucial to our national security.” The president has lashed out against government leaders for leaking this information and will address the country this evening to discuss Iraq and, I’m sure, this scandal.

The crux of the issue is not the constitutionality of the eavesdropping program (because the Patriot Act allows it), but whether or not the president has the authority to authorize it. I’m no lawyer, but the answer seems unmistakably simple: NO.

Title II, Section 201 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) of 2001, “grants authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to terrorism.” The law giving the muscle to this portion of the Patriot Act is 18USC2516(1), which states:

“The Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, Associate Attorney General, or any Assistant Attorney General, any acting Assistant Attorney General, or any Deputy Assistant Attorney General or acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division specially designated by the Attorney General, may authorize an application to a Federal judge of competent jurisdiction for, and such judge may grant in conformity with section 2518 of this chapter an order authorizing or approving the interception of wire or oral communications by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or a Federal agency having responsibility for the investigation of the offense as to which the application is made, when such interception may provide or has provided evidence of…”

emphasis added

The authorization for this eavesdropping program must come from a Federal judge; there’s no provision allowing the president to act independently in this matter. I believe President Bush overstepped his authority and am interested to see what happens next. I also believe we’ve seen the end of the Patriot Act as it stands today.

As controversial as the Patriot Act was, I believed it was necessary to protect Americans against terrorists. There were checks and balances written into the act that sufficiently guarded individual liberty, but make no mistake, we gave up some of that liberty in the name of security. Recognizing the potential for abuse of power, I was willing to give the president some latitude in fighting the war on terror. I was wrong. To sacrifice liberty, even in the name of security, is wrong.

Holst’s, “Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age,” is playing in the background as I write this evening. This particular version was played by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and was conducted by Herbert von Karajan. A very slow, methodic piece of music. When I listen to it I see a small child ascending a staircase and with each step he grows older, until at the precipice of his life’s end, he pauses to look back and with the turning of his head, steps into nothingness and floats away.

I’m not sure why I’m feeling so melancholy tonight. Maybe it’s the Holidays or my impending assignment to Korea. Maybe it’s because my wife is in Alabama visiting our grandchild and I’m feeling a bit lonely. Whatever it is, I find strength in these classical music pieces. There’s such a calming effect as the melodies surround me and tell their story. A solace that is mine alone because no one can “see” this music as I do. Although we may know and understand the same history, my mind’s eye translates it’s own unique imagery, as does yours. It’s wonderful and individually, all our own.

Drove my Jeep to the Vehicle Processing Center in Dallas yesterday. As planned, I left about 3 a.m. with a cup of coffee in hand and about 5 hours sleep (thanks, Restoril!). The drive was uneventful for the first half of my journey. Just south of Amarillo, shorty after turning off I40 onto US287, I encountered some road construction. The traffic had slowed from 75 mph to just under 60 on two open lanes. As a semi-truck passed me, it threw a rock and cracked my windshield. Of course this pissed me off and although the chip was once again the size of a dime, I needed to get it repaired before dropping my car at the VPC. I called my insurance company and was able to arrange a repair in an upcoming town. It took about 30 minutes and I was back on the road again.

I arrived in Dallas on schedule and turned my car over for shipping to Korea. I called a cab from the VPC for a ride to the airport. Wouldn’t you know it…the cabbie was a talker! I’m not much for small talk and don’t really like talking to people anyway, but I simply can’t stand having to engage in conversation with a cab driver. I was polite. I smiled and nodded and looked out the window for the 20-minute eternity it took to get to the airport.

The line at security was short and I was in the terminal after just a couple of minutes. I had large Sam Adams and a salad at TGI Fridays, then a cup of Seattle’s Best. The plane boarded on schedule, but departed almost 30-minutes late. The pilot was able to make-up 15 minutes of the time we lost sitting on the tarmac and got me into Albuquerque only 15-minutes late. I was happy to see my wife and step-daughter smiling and waving.

Soon I was alseep in my warm and comfortable bed, next to my lovely wife.

What a day.

Today the movers packed-up my household goods for shipping to Korea. The packer seemed to think there was less than 500 pounds, but I think he’s probably off by about 300 pounds. He’s going to give me a call after it’s weighed and let me know. If the shipment is less than 500 pounds, the Air Force will transport by air; heavier stuff goes by sea. Naturally, the difference between the two (for me anyway) is the delivery date. By air, my stuff would probably be waiting for me when I get there mid-January; by sea, I more then likely won’t get it until mid-February.

On Wednesday, I’m driving my Jeep to the Vehicle Processing Center in Dallas for shipment to Korea. It’s about a 10-hour drive from here, but a pretty easy one. I plan on hitting the road about 3 a.m. That’ll put me in Dallas about 2 p.m. I figure an hour to do the paperwork for the shipment, then take a cab to the airport to catch a 6 p.m. flight back home.

My wife and daughter will be leaving for Alabama on Thursday. My daughter is here to close-out her bank account and disenroll from school. My wife is returning to Alabama with her to spend a few days with our granddaughter. Since I’ll be alone for a couple of days, Friday will be a good time to get my smallpox shot.

You know what really bugs me about air travel? People who walk around the airport with those damn cell phone receivers stuck in their ears, like they’re Lt Uhura! What is it that drives these faux-important one-foot-in-the-trailor-park Alexander Graham Bells? What could be so crucial that they can’t be out of contact for a single instant? Who the fuck could possibly need to reach these incredible conglomorans that would necessitate this perpetual plugging-in? I don’t know which is worse: the sender or the receiver. The thought of either scares me more than the shadow on the shower curtain in “Psycho.”

And once we’re in the air, what’s the deal with the feverish phone fiends who are clicking on their cell phones the instant the landing gear hits the tarmac? Excuse me, but I worry enough about plane travel that I’d like to give the pilot just a few moments more of interference-free navigation. Just give him time to apply some pressure to the brakes…just allow the plane to slow down to golf cart speed…just get me to the fucking jet-way before you call granny to tell her that you’ve landed. Hell, she can she that on the fucking monitor in the airport! If she’s too old to see the monitor, you’re going to see her in a few minutes. Leave the damn phone in your purse or coat pocket and get over yourself! You’re not that fucking important!

Day two in Wichita, KS and as expected it’s unbelievably cold! Tomorrow is supposed to be even worse with three inches of snow expected. B-r-r-r-r-r.

My arrival was yesterday was uneventful. The base “feels” old, but is very quaint. I’m staying in a two-room suite and am very comfortable, except for this clicking sound the heating unit in the living room makes. Last night was my farewell dinner at a microbrewery in “old town” called, the River City Brewing Company. I had the pot roast and a very smokey brown ale. A great time was had by all!

I completed my document review today and am enjoying a cold Bitburger as I write this post. Tonight, I plan on relaxing and watching “House.” One of the few television shows I actually look forward to watching. Tomorrow the interviews begin. It’ll be a long day, and cold, so I gotta remember to pack my lunch!

I absolutely cannot fucking stand people who drive Lexus automobiles! I don’t have a problem with those who drive BMWs, Mercedes Benz or Rolls-Royce, so the issue isn’t with the expense or flashiness of the vehicle.

The problem I have has to do with stupidity. A Lexus is nothing more than an over-priced Toyota Avalon. Anyone who buys a Lexus is doing so simply because they’re trying to make a statement. Trying to demonstrate that they can run with the beemer and porche crowd. What they’re really saying is that they’re too dumb to realize they’re driving a Toyota and paid 20 to 30 percent more than they had to for the priviledge.

My kids would call ‘em “posers;” I just think they’re fucking idiots!

I’m on the road again and sitting in the airport waiting for a plane to take me to Wichita, KS. My plane is delayed about 45 minutes, but should still allow ample time to make the connection in Dallas.

I’m inspecting the medical clinic at McConnell AFB and expect colder weather than I experienced in Colorado last week. This will be my last inspection. My collegues are planning to take me out to dinner sometime this week. What is there to eat in Wichita? All I can think of is “amber waves of grain.” I imagine there’s some good barbecue.

Anyway, it’s a very beautiful day here on the high desert. The air is cool and crisp and the sun is shining brightly over the mountains. The air is absent humidity and is almost crystal clear. I can see the snow-capped mountains north of Sante Fe and although they’re a good 60 miles away, they appear much, much closer.

If natural food is so good for you, why do 80 percent of Americans die of natural causes?

My visit to Colorado Springs is over and my job at Peterson AFB is done. It was a satisfying stay. I wish I could say the same for my drive home!

My collegues and I outbriefed the medical group commander on Friday morning and within an hour, I was on the road home. Of course, I had to take a detour to “El Taco Rey” for my tamales (which were still warm after 5 hours on the road). From the Springs to Raton, NM, the drive was pretty uneventful. From Raton to Sante Fe, the wind was incredible! I felt like it was going to flip my Jeep a couple of times. I was forced to reduce speed and turn into the wind to stop the shaking. In fact, in the northbound lane, just outside of Las Vagas, NM, a semi-truck and trailor had jack-knifed. That couldn’ve easily been me…or worse!

Anyway, I’m home now and was glad to see my lovely wife. We had tamales for dinner!