Sunday, December 18, 2011

Home again, home again, jiggity jig...

OK, so I got in Friday night. I was able to finagle Delta into getting me on an earlier flight out of Columbia, South Carolina. I texted my dad and asked him if he'd pick me up two hours earlier in Salt Lake. I'd just started a cold, which I have now by the way, which has since robbed me of my voice. Of course, everyone wants to have an in-depth complicated conversation with you when you have no voice, and I've since stressed my vocal cords to the point where I can't sing the Sunbeam song. Which, sorta leads to where we are right no.

So, I'm at home with Olivia and Samuel. Sam's starting to fuss in his rocker and Olivia is playing trains and watching Diego. We started out with an arrangement where we'd watch one episode of Diego, and one episode of 30 Rock, but since that time we've supplemented 30 Rock with Shaun the Sheep, Diego, and more....Diego. She's glued. Well, about a half hour ago I figured the top of her sippy cup had failed because my left side was all wet. No such luck. Turns out when I'd asked Alexia to change Livy's bum, she did so, but failed to button up one side of the diaper. So, Livy peed all through her onesie and my shorts and of course my underoos.

I did nap on and off though, which apparently is a no-go to Olivia, because every four minutes or so she'd take my chin and wake me up so I didnt miss the most critical parts of Diego. I dont know what it is, but I'm exhausted. Did I mention Stace took the older kids to church? I'm getting a new calling next week by the way. I'm going to be co-teaching with my partner the 11 year old boys and girls, and also tag-teaming the requirements of being the 11 year old boy scout leader with Chad as well. It's good to have a partner,and Chad's an excellent one, because he's really flexible if I have to be out of town.

You should see Olivia, she has two giant flowers in her hair and semi-permanent blue marker all over her face. Just a shirt and a diaper on (third shirt this morning) and she's playing trains just as peacefully as can be. She's upset now because of monsters by the way. Josh has her believing if she goes upstairs or downstairs by herself that they'll get her. I'm really excited that he's instilled that in her.

Well hey, I gotta go. Just a quick note. Sammy's waking up and probably wants to have his sister color him with blue marker or something. You guys take care and good luck with all your endeavors.

See you later,

J

Sunday, December 11, 2011

We wishth you a mewwy Chwistmasth...

Hey guys. Yeah, it's me. I know, I know, you're excited. You can't wait for the outcome. What deliciously sinful things has Jon been up to lately? Well, in a word, "None." Yeah, I'm a little shocked myself actually. It's been good actually. I'm here getting ready to start another week of training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Today is Sunday, our only day off in the course. The past week has been palatable. Nothing too overly-stressing, just late afternoons. I haven't had time to workout, actually desire to workout is there, but the past three days my shoulders have been killing me. I have a difficult time sleeping. I think I over-did it. After doing the, "Seal" P.T. the other day, we went swimming, and the front of my shoulderous majorus freakin' ached for three days. I'm going to give it the rest of today and hopefully start up again on Monday morning.

Anyhow, we have Monday through Friday left in the course. Well, more succinctly, Thursday. See Friday is graduation. I know, you're sad you missed it. But it will basically be in a amphitheater style room and we'll walk down, across the stage, and pick up a certificate. I know, you're weeping inside because you never thought this day would come. Well, boo on you, 'cause it did. I'm now eligible for promotion and smarter than I was just a few short weeks ago. I know, you're thinking to yourself, 'Self, how is that possible?', but it is.

So, last night we went out to a place to eat. It's pretty popular in the Columbia area. I, of course was one of the designated adults and have to stay sober. Which, as a Mormon dude, isn't really all that difficult. Anyhow, I snarfed down some nachos as an appetizer and a, "Shoboygan" which was basically a brautworst on a bun with mustard and saurkraut. Friggin' delicious I tell ya. Not great for the heart, but you know, when in Rome.

So, there was a giant gathering of lesbians in the skybox above us. Wait, let me back up. There's three parts to this establishment, a screened in smoking area outside, an elevated sitting area, and then a sunken area, and I guess technically a fourth if you include the bar all along the one wall. Anyhow, there was a mess of lesbians above us smokin' it up and gettin' jiggy. I'd say there was maybe two dozen. So of course, our little class of maybe ten people commenced to guessing what their purpose was for paining the town...camo. I thought perhaps they were a women's softball team celebrating their last victory. Someone else said they were a troop of bus drivers and gym coaches, and yet another hypothesized that they were in fact an former eastern block bowling/powerlifting team. One of the dudes in our class, an aging man who's going through a divorce, kept trying to convince either me or him that he could go up there and score one. I told him he may as well try to climb K-2 without any preparation or cold weather gear. Twice as likely to hit the summit(s) anyhow.
Where were we? Oh, anyhow, that lasted from about 7:30 to 9:45, after which I was done playing the part of, Father Knows Best, and Jefe' and I decided to bolt. That's young people speak for, "Jet" case you didn't know.

Anyhow, I got home and started watching Christmas Vacation. I came in about the part where he's wearing that stupid turbin on his head and those pink gloves watching movies in the attic. Then of course my wife commenced sending me festive holiday picture-texts of her and the kids riding the Trax train to see the Temple lights. So, that's nice. Sitting in your room, after missing the birth of your son, and your anniversary on the following phase, and now you're kids and wife are braving the elements to go drink hot choco at Temple Square while you're in the nice warm room preparing to watch Vince Vaughan as Fred Claus. By the way, his movie, "Four Christmases", FRIGGIN' HILLARIOUS! My favorite part is him on the roof trying to instal this satellite dish and the t.v. smashing across the room and ending up in a firey heap in his dad's living room. I mean, the poor guy was just trying to give his dad a gift and deal with his disfunctional family. So, I'm sure you all can relate.

Anyhow, I've had a good go-round. I'm kinda done. I'm not motivated to work on my country brief that's due Wednesday at all. I know, you're thinking, 'but why? Turkmenistan is so interesting?' yeah, well, it might be, considering their average education level is 8th grade and that military service is compulsory from age 19 to 29 for one year for males, but believe it or not, the rest of the reading is pretty dry. Actually, looking at the website for Turkmenistan, which basically is a single page linking you to the CIA World Factbook and State Department information from 1991, it's hard to believe you wouldnt just sop this stuff up with a buscuit it's that danged good.

Alright, well hey listen, it's been real, I know you've had fun, but I've got a whole lotta layin' around to do today and I have to get to it. You know I love ya, always will, but Stay Classy Salt Lake. Mmmkay?

Alright, but seriously, have fun and take care. We'll see you all around Festivus for the airing of grievances.

Always,

J

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Kings Mountain

Yesterday in class we discussed the Battle of Kings Mountain. See, Kings Mountain was a Revolutionary War battle in South Carolina. The interesting part about it, was that it wasn't really a battle between Brittish troops and American Minutemen. Actually, it was fought in the largest part between Americans who were loyal to the crown, and patriots who didn't quite see it the same way. I just wanted to take a moment to jot down some of my thoughts as twenty of us in the class discussed this battle, which ultimately became the turning point in the Revolution both in the South, and in the direction of the war.

So, the backdrop is such that apparently there'd been a lot of infighting in the South to start with. Loyalists who supported the monarchy had been sort of looked down upon by the generations of Patriots who really didnt see the need to continue being under represented and over taxed by the crown. Additionally, there's an entire backdrop of religious undertones that the Scotts and Irish brought with them and the idea of self rule. See, the Patriots, as it turned out, believed in the Protestant ethic of electing their own local leaders who should represent them. The Loyalists on the other hand, were either comfortable with the idea of an established government and the protection it afforded, or a true sense of nationalism which it brought about far removed. Either way, General Cornwallis' decision to send troops South to Charleston and rally the Loyalist sympathizers turned out to be a bad idea.

See, some of Cornwallis' goons decided that they'd recruit the Loyalists and turn them against the rabble Patriots. Well, unbenownst to the Loyalists, the Brittish pretty well thought all of the Americans were dirty heathenist filth and they only elected to spur on the Loyalists to divide the South from the North and establish a foothold and cut off supplies to the North. Well long story longer, it turns out, that during some of the critical battles, the Brittish pretty much massacred the Patriot even after they had surrendered. Killed them all almost down to the last man. Hundreds of them in one battle alone. Well, it pretty well galvanized the Patriots and served as a call to arms. The "Over the Mountain" men from the frontier came to the aid of the Patriots and in defense of their own freedoms and liberties which were now threatened.

Well, as I said, we had a discussion about this, and it occurred to me, that in every conflict, both sides can be right. Consequently, in some regards even, both sides can be wrong. But here's the crux, individuals in positions of authority may and often will make tactical errors. But the errors that seem to cost the most by way of inertia and success on the battlefield, really stem from character and ethical challenges presented during the heat of battle.

What I'm getting at, is that as we discussed the battle, and it's importance, the consequences of the key leaders' actions and the tactical nature of their movements, it struck me. See, the Loyalists in the area were actually right. We're told to support our government leaders and have a sense of national pride and conviction and to protect those same ideals instilled in the protection of nation and citizen. It's the same quandry faced by General Lee in the preceding days of the Civil War. How does one take orders from his nation to kill his neighbors and go to war with his own State and family? Of course Lee chose to command the Confederate Armies, and he believed at that moment he was making the best choice in supporting succession from the Union. In fact, removal of the question of slavery and focussing on State's Rights and the issues associated with self-governance at the local level, in many ways he was right. I would go so far as to say, that with the backdrop of a relatively recent split from the Crown in Brittain, coupled with the dangers of a strong central government and the challenges faced across Europe, he sort of had the right idea.

Here's what's wrong with that now. Of course, hindsight is twenty-twenty, and we see the Confederates (as the losers in this case) as rabble who couldnt wait to enslave mankind and perpetuate an aristocratic ruling class of rich plantation owners. However, I would submit that the majority of people by volume were not rich, nor were they owners of vast plantations, but were in fact eeking out a living as tenant farmers. However, here's where it gets even more sticky. These people, the majority of the southern people, believed in that self-same governance at the local level, and the self sufficiency afforded by the Protestant ethic.

Here's how it all ties in. Well, see the devil is in the details. This is where I think it's important that we sit up and take notice as we go forward in the coming days. See, each party, each person, each man or woman has their own sense of right and wrong. Their own levels of importance and set of values. Each one of those, can be twisted such that it becomes confusing as to who's actually right, and who's actually wrong. In fact, in the vast sense, issues between Democrats and Republicans are really not that great. Both want what's best for America. Both think their correct, and both in a sense are. But what we need is to make decisions as a nation, based on principle. Unshifting principles of right and wrong. Those principles have to be bigger than what is temporarily fashionable. Therefore, they have to be predicated on the principles of right as taught by God. Now, say what you will about mixing church and state, but the state can make shifting rules all it wants and that becomes the new norm. The "State" in Germany during WWII made all kinds of new norms in regards to right and wrong and we have a slug of Hollocost examples to prove why that doesnt work.

All I'm saying is that as we go forward, things will become more and more confusing. It's up to us to make decisions in our leadership based on principle, and not on expediency. I got a lot more to say but I'm running out of time now. Anyhow, I gotta get to school. You know I think the world of ya. Have a great day.

Always,

J

Monday, December 5, 2011

Phase III...

Hi guys. Yeah, it's me again. Listen, I know it's been a while. I haven't had much time. I've been sequestered in the house doing my online training for my captain's course. Pretty much the last month since I got back. Wow, been quite a whirlwind too. Sam is growing like a weed now, Stacey looks fantastic and things seem to be on-track again.

So, let's see, here I am, in a room at Fort Jackson, S.C. It's a nice room. Basically a studio apartment. I went out with my friend Jeff and we got some dinner last night when I arrived. He's from Hawaii by the way. He too feels my pain on the whole distance learning module thing. Anyhow, it was great to get some dinner. I had the chicken chimi. It's my last good meal for a while. Oh, well see, I went to the Wal Mart after dinner and snagged some stuff for my room. I'm going to do my best to eat more healthfully while I'm here the next two weeks. Yeah, I picked up some brown rice cups, some Lean/Healthy cuisine microwave meals, and some fruit and vegetables. Additionally I made some goals on the plane over that I'm going to try and exact into the new year. Yeah, I know, 2012. Are you ready? Me neither.

So, speaking of that, while I was on the plane I started jotting some things down. I made a couple of lists. Things I'd like to do for myself, things I'd like to do for others, things I'd like to do professionally. I came up with some things that I'd really like to do. A couple of which I think I'll share herein.

1) I'd like to read my scriptures every day. I was doing really well for a while but about the time football season started it started to wane a little.

2) I'd like to be a better husband. I know, you're thinking, "But he's the bestest husband ever??" Yeah, I could do a little better. I've really been trying the last couple of years, but I think I could do better. So, I made a list. I started out with ten things to do each month to surprise, or show Stacey I care. However, then I thought maybe 30 items. Like, one a day. A secret list of sorts. So, I made this list, and I'm going to start checking them off. When I get to the end of the list, I'll write thirty more. I may even put it in my Outlook Calendar as a Task. Yeah, I know, Mega-Romantic. I get that a lot actually.

3) Now that I'm in a lull for military schools, I'd like to learn to play the piano. I've always wanted to, and believe it or not, I can actually sing, I just dont know how to do it correctly. So, since Stacey teaches....I put two and two together. I'm going to start lessons in January. I'm actually quite excited.

4) I've made some goals for my physical improvement. I really want to step it up a few notches, and as alluded to earlier, eat much better and step up my game with my physical training. I'm just now accepting that I'll be 40 in a couple years, and that's not scary at all. No, seriously. My goal is to be able to pull my shirt off in the yard at forty and not be hesitant about it. Yeah, I know it's vain, so sue me.

5) Professionally. I have a lot of ambitions for my new gig. It's really too much to go into here, but I want to redouble my efforts. Now that I'm full-time as the Commander and AO of the unit, I have all the time in my day to improve my foxhole. I plan on doing just that. Babysteps though. I should promote to Major soon, (eligible in February) and I'll be back on track to where I wanted to be.

Anyhow, I gotta get ready. I haven't read my scriptures yet and I wanted to knock it out before class starts. Much less stress today, I have a Dodge Avenger this go-round, and I am living a stone's throw away from the school house. I know a little more of what to expect and the level of stress is way down from last time.

You know I want nothing but the best for you. Thanks for taking the time.

Always,

J