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This blog exists only as an archive. It is a journal that serves as a window into my life as a Marine combat veteran serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; it was written with no filter, no politics and no agenda. Please feel free to follow my journey from beginning to end. Welcome to my life.

Monday, June 19, 2006


I have determined that I hate everything that has to do with airports or the airline industry. Let me begin by saying that if you wait until only a few days prior to purchase an airline ticket, any airline that you look at will bend you over on the price. Completely. That being said (I will not disclose how much it cost to fly home last week), they will also do everything in their power to make your trip as miserable as possible. This past Sunday I was flying home from my real home in Iowa. My first flight was delayed by about 30 minutes, this caused me to be late in Atlanta ( why I had to fly to Atlanta to get to the WEST coast I have no idea). Being late in atlanta, I was already cutting it close to making my connection. However, I showed up at the terminal with about five minutes to spare, only to find out five minutes later that the terminal had been changed for my flight, and the new one existed on the other side of the universe, accessible only by a worm hole or black hole, or some crap like that. Either way, I raced to the gate to find that it had been closed, the flight already boarded. Luckily, someone from the plane saw myself and another passenger and came back out to let us on. Wow, what a relief, reallllly dodged a bullet. Alas, I land in Las Vegas. Now all that I have to do is switch airlines and fly into Palm Springs. I have 30 minutes. I show up at the ticket counter to find a line. A nice lady that works for the airline asks me what I need, I tell her I need my ticket to Palm Springs, she says, “Gee, I’m sorry, but the flight to Palm Springs has been cancelled.” So I’m standing in line to get rebooked, and when I get up to the front of line I explain that I need to rebook the lady looks at me and says, “Well, geewiz, the flight to Palm Springs was not cancelled, the flight to COLORADO Springs was though” Colorado….Palm….don’t sound too much alike. Regardless, I missed my flight by five minutes at this point. So I spent the night in Vegas, flew to Phoenix and then to Palm Springs. End of story. Oh wait, I forgot to mention how THEY LOST MY BAGGAGE ALONG THE WAY. Goooood, so we want to be inept.

My airline rant is over. For now. But, on a lighter note, I had an absolutely amazing time while I was back home, reminding me once again what an awesome family and group of friends I have. Wednesday night was the bachelor party. By order of the bride and, get this, the GROOM, it remained relatively tame with a barbeque and a night down at the bars in downtown Davenport. Special thanks out to the Kaiser family for providing drivers.

Thursday, my buddy Jeff Lang, his brother Tony, and their friend Bill, were out for a ride on their Harley’s and managed to make their way down to the QC to say high. Somehow, they got talked into riding up to Iowa City with me to spend the night with my sisters. Naturally there was a giant car accident that forced us to take back roads to circumvent, meaning gravel roads and Harley’s. In case you were wondering, they don’t mix too well. We had an awesome night partying, mostly with my younger sister Meghan. Jeff went into all out creep mode, ha, what else is new? I have an excellent picture of him demonstrating how a toddler goes potty in a urinal. Email me for a copy.

Friday of course was the big day for Brett and Haley. From what I remember it was a beautiful wedding and an awesome reception. Actually I stayed pretty tame that night, that is until we got back to Folwell’s house. Dave, we’re taking that secret to the grave, except for all those other people that know…

Saturday, Jeff Lang came back down from Wisconsin with my old roommate Vic and my good friend Amy. We were supposed to go boating with the Folwells but the weather was not cooperating. We ended up going downtown to the District that night, and ended up in a limousine at the end with a group of girls that were out partying. Things got weird, but we got home safe, that’s all I’m saying there.

Friday, June 09, 2006

Back Home

Well, I'm back home in Iowa right now for a buddy's wedding. My high school friend Brett Thomas is getting married tonight, taking the plunge if you will. I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to make it, I had requested the leave about a month ago, but it didn't get approved until this past weekend. Needless to say ticket prices weren't too kind to me.

Last night I had the chance to drive up to Iowa City to see both of my sisters. The pictures tell the whole story. We were joined by my buddy Jeff Lang from Wisconsin, and he reminded all of us why you need to put the women and children to bed when he's in town.

So this is my shout out to Haley and Brett, Best Wishes.

Monday, June 05, 2006

Guns, Germs and Steel





I recently started to read a real interesting book called Guns, Germs and Steel. I haven’t had a good chance to really dive into it yet, but so far it looks like its going to be really good. The premise of the book is the search for an answer to the following question—why did some civilizations in history advance politically, scientifically, and militarily while other civilizations were left in a literal stone age. It explores the origin of modern man and the factors and influences that would have led to these disparities and the subsequent conquering of less advanced civilizations by more modern. The most dramatic example perhaps being the conquering of the Americas by a vastly superior (at least in terms of technology and military) European race.

Hopefully the book doesn’t get too textbook on me, so far it hasn’t. I’ll let you know if it is worth reading when I’m finished.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Como se WHAT?

Guess what obscene hour I have to wake up at tomorrow.....

No, not 5am
No, not 4am
No, not 3am
YES, THAT'S RIGHT 2am.

I thought it was only possible to GO to bed at that hour, I didn't know it existed on the opposite end of the spectrum, that's some quantum physics crap or something.

On top of all this, we're doing the Battalion death march tomorrow after having run a PFT today. The PFT is our Physical Fitness Test. Side note: I did score my best ever PFT today, got a 278 out of a possible 300 points. First time I ever maxed out the pullup score with 20.

I have joined a cult


That would be the Jeep Wrangler cult. I have been searching to buy a car for a while now and I have finally pulled the trigger. I've always wanted a Jeep Wrangler, but I never wanted to pony up the money for one. Well, I found a deal that I couldn't resist, and I now own an awesome blue one.

Can't wait to cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway in this bad boy with the top down.
Its a BOY!!!!!

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