Friday, November 28, 2008
Black Friday
Sitting here in line at the store at 4am. Just finished waiting 2 hours just to get into this store. Am I here by choice? Hell no. I'm here for the wife.
I'm no fan of shopping like this, but she needed the help and she does save hundreds on Christmas shopping. She planned the morning out with 20 sale adds, maps, and lists of stores that price match. Overlay those stores on the map with ones offering gift cards, do some exotic formula, and presto. You get 20 DVDs for 4 bucks and a laptop for 50.
It's worth it, but it still sucks being out here this early.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
posted by El Capitan at 6:28 AM
6 comments
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Kansas
Honestly, I can't really bag on the state too much. I've had some good times here in the past. I was last here Sept 07 with a contingent of Iraqi Air Force leaders, and coming straight from Iraq this place looked like paradise to all of us. I was definitely thankful for my time out here.
Still... I could use a few mountains and a coastline about now.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
posted by El Capitan at 4:19 PM
5 comments
Mumbai India
Pray for India and its people in Mumbai, and for the victims and hostages. Pray that the Indian police and military forces take the fight beyond the streets and hotels, all the way to the leadership of these Islamic Extremist organizations.
There is a special place in hell for these people.
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posted by El Capitan at 4:04 PM
2 comments
Saturday, November 22, 2008
22 November 2008 - Victory in Iraq Day
The following are not my words, they're from the website I linked, but they hit the nail on the head.
Let us honor the sacrifice, dedication and sheer determination of American, coalition and Iraqi troops who have brought freedom to the nation and people of Iraq.
Although our governments have chosen to not name any official day marking the end of this war, we the people have taken it upon ourselves to commemorate November 22, 2008 as the day of victory over the forces of tyranny, oppression and terror in Iraq.
Join fellow bloggers and other members of the public in this virtual ticker-tape parade for our brave troops, to celebrate their success, to remember the fallen, and to declare, in the words of President John F. Kennedy (RIP):
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay
any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any
foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
posted by El Capitan at 10:22 PM
2 comments
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Valour IT - Team Air Force
C'mon Air Force, we're getting our asses handed to us by the Army and Navy!
posted by El Capitan at 10:32 PM
2 comments
Who Can Resist Achmed....
'I Kill You!'
posted by El Capitan at 10:07 PM
2 comments
Friday, November 14, 2008
McCain vs Obama 2008
posted by El Capitan at 2:34 PM
3 comments
Do It Again In 2010!
posted by El Capitan at 12:56 AM
4 comments
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Valour-IT: It's time to help those who sacrificed for us
Please please please give a dollar if you can. More if possible, but one is a start. Tell your friends about this too. The fundraiser runs until Thanksgiving.
If you're not familiar with Valour-IT, here's some background information from Chuck Ziegenfuss, the wounded Vet who started this awesome program for wounded Vets.
"The money we raise will go toward purchasing laptops with dragon Naturallyspeaking software, which allows servicemembers to control their laptop
completely by voice. For the wounded with eye or extremity injuries, this technology is critical to getting back a sense of normality. The DOD now provides the software and the training to use it, but they won't provide the laptops. that's where we come in.""Since I started this project in 2005, we've raised enough money for over 2700 laptops to be donated. Initially, we also provided the software, too, but Uncle Sam picks up the tab for that now. We also want to purchase gps units for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients, because they often get lost, especially when trying to navigate between WRAMC and Bethesda for different clinic visits (yay BRAC!) Finally, we are also looking to donate Nintendo Wii Fit systems to the various military medical centers--WRAMC, Bethesda, Tripler, BAMC, etc. for use in physical and occupational therapy."
"I didn't start this project for purely altruistic reasons, I was injured in 2005 and was unable to use my hands, my vision was blurred, and I couldn't walk down the hall to use the one "patient" computer on the ward. I wanted to continue blogging through my treatment at WRAMC, and Soldiersangels provided me with a laptop. I added the software, thanks to a loyal reader, and then realized that there were many others who could benefit from this exact same technology."
"There are other bloggers out there who are willing to help, for instance I am teaming up with Blackfive.net for the Army team, and I think Greyhawk from Mudvillegazette.com wants to team up with the USAF team. I figured that USMC bloggers would know others in their circle, as would the USCG, and USN. All the money we raise goes into one pot, the only reason we divide into teams is for bragging rights. The big boat boys in bell bottoms won the first two years, and the
Big Green Machine won in 2007, and I bet team Army will win again, because the
other, lesser branches lack the esprit de corps to man up and take the
challenge. (How's that for taunting?)"
posted by El Capitan at 10:58 PM
0 comments
A little motivation....
"I'd help rebuild the Party, but first I need to use this pipe wrench to pimp slap a lot of corrupt, moderate Republican dirt bags who destroyed it."
posted by El Capitan at 10:52 PM
3 comments
Overheard at the Republican Governor's Association Meeting
Like a wild Grizzly Bear, you have to take the Democratic message by the head, wrestle it to the ground, gut it, stuff it, then mount it on the wall of untruthful political crap.
And furthermore, all of you better get off your asses, rediscover your principles, and grow a damn backbone before 2010 or else I will personally take you out. 
....Excuse me, but is that Alfred Hitchcock standing behind me, to my left? Honey, get my rifle.
...and it's a pleasure to meet you Sir, but let me warn you. If you fail to take this party back to where it belongs, you're going to join the Congressional Republicans who failed us after the 2000 elections. I have them mounted in my out house.
I see you moderates lurking in the shadows. C'mon and grow a pair. You either stand with us as Conservatives or you get the hell out of the Republican party. You can always go start the 'Spineless Pansy Party for Woosified Girly-Men'. I hear they're in need of some gutless douche bags.
Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother,
Now let's go take back Congress in 2010!
That Governor Palin lady.... The Force is strong in this one.
posted by El Capitan at 10:24 PM
1 comments
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Study Session
At least the kidlings get to enjoy it.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
posted by El Capitan at 1:56 PM
3 comments
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Omaha Coffee Shop
Trying to work on my first paper for the new MA program, so I've exiled myself inside this coffee shop in Omaha. So far not too bad, although they've really overdone the 'depressed goth' chic. Hopefully there's more places like this around here. Still not as good as the 'College Perk' coffee house out in College Park, Maryland. Nothing beats that place.
I have a pathetic weakness when it comes to studying and writing. I can't study without being in a coffee shop or some kind of sit-down place. If I'm at home in a quiet room with nobody around I can't do anything, yet if I'm in a cafe I can write dozens of pages non-stop.
Pathetic? Yes.
Necessary evil? Yes.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
posted by El Capitan at 12:30 AM
1 comments
Thursday, November 06, 2008
SITREP 6 Nov 08
Situation Report: Where the hell is El Capitan?
Same excuse, sort of. I've been busier than hell trying to juggle the new job, unpack boxes in the new, much smaller base house, spend time with the kids, workout, and survive.
To complicate things, I had shoulder surgery last week, just in time for Trevi's 6th birthday on Halloween. I've been at home for the last week recouping. Honestly, the staying at home sucks, but every time I think I can do normal things with my shoulder it painfully reminds me to sit down, shut up, and quit whining. If I don't let it heal properly it's never going to heal the way it needs to heal, and the problem will remain. I don't want that, so I've got to listen to the docs orders.
To complicate things even further, the wife is out of the country until mid-November, so I've had to pick up the slack around the house. Takes three times as long to do things, but it keeps me occupied, and the kids are enjoying the 'us' time. Last night was movie night, so we rented a few movies and had a blast.
To really screw things up, I started a new Masters Degree program. The reading and studying is great, but the typing really sucks. I'm fat-fingering this post with one hand right now, so you can guess how long it'll take to write my first essay due on Sunday night. The program is the first accredited online MA program offered by the USAF, and the first time the bums are actually paying for some schooling for me. I paid for my BA and previous MA, and I'm very proud of the fact that I did it on my own, but I do admit it would have been nice had the AF picked up some of the tab like they to for the science geeks in the Officer corps. Either way, I'm just looking forward to more research and writing. I miss that stuff.
So, is life complicated? Certainly. Am I working my ass off? Absolutely.
But aren't we all?
First snow today here in Omaha. If it builds up within the next month or two I might have to pay some kid to shovel it for me. Damn shoulder!
Then again, I can't wait to pick up my girls again, so I've got to heal properly. They grow up too fast, and I know they won't want me throwing them up in the air when they're 16.
Any questions or requests or you've got nothing better to do, feel free to email me. I've got time to respond. I know, unheard of.
And I stand by every word I wrote in that last post. I'm looking forward to the next Reagan Revolution. If I have time after my essay I'm going to read his biography.
posted by El Capitan at 3:13 PM
2 comments
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
We Are All Americans First
Yesterday, Rudy Gulliani said something very interesting when asked about what will happen if Obama won the election. His response:
"Tomorrow we wake up not Republican, not Democrat, but American. We must back whomever is elected because if he fails, we fail as a nation."
Personally, I'm not thrilled that a majority of our nation chose to send in the rookie quarterback while the team is 4th and 20, but there's nothing we can say or do now to change that. All we can do is hope and pray that the right decisions are made and that we do what needs to be done to fix what is broken. We will never fully agree with every decision made and direction our new President takes us in, but we can't do to him what the left did to President Bush.
History was made last night. Whether you supported him or not, history was made in terms of racial equality in this country. Never again can someone say that the political playing field is not level for all.
I am and will always be a true, Die-hard Reagan Conservative. I believe in smaller government, less taxes, strong defense. I believe that the individual citizen is what makes this nation powerful and great, not the government. I'm saddened that everything Ronald Reagan worked for was destroyed by a Republican House and Senate after the 2000 election, and I will never forget the opportunity those clowns wasted. I will also push harder to help rebuild this party into what it was and what it could have been. It is the only way to keep the far-left fringe of this nation (Socialists, Marxists, Eco-extremists, etc) from permanently destroying this great nation.
But this morning I'm reminded that I am also an American. I will disagree with the new administration on many issues, but I am still an American.
Maybe the Democrats can learn from our example on how to be civil and not vilify or destroy our nation if they disagree with a national leader.
This Wall Street Journal piece today says it all: The Treatment of Bush Has Been a Disgrace - What must our enemies be thinking?
Let's be an opposition party that helps shape the process and decision making of our leaders as opposed to tearing down our nation and further polarizing our society. If or when jobs are lost due to misguided taxation and trade policies, let's offer a better solution rather than sit back and say 'See I told you so'.
If spending spirals further out of control while deficits go unchecked, show a clear and effective alternative path for the country and the world rather than turn our backs and watch things fall apart.
And when the Democratic Party tries to close the door and keep those solutions and ideas in the dark, don't throw a fit or remove yourself from the process altogether. Instead, offer them to the people the same way Reagan offered them back in 1979. Show the people the alternative to what is wrong in the country in a positive way and they will make the right decision. The more positive and effective your message, the more negative and destructive the opposition will become, which will only amplify your platform.
Most important, do not give the enemies of our nation any opportunities or hope for success by further dividing or weakening our nation through the smearing, bickering, and flogging of our government or its leadership. We must NOT repeat the horrific and disgraceful damage the left has committed to our nation's image over the past 8 years.
Am I dreaming right now? Of course. But my dreams are based on what I witnessed growing up in the 1980s and 90s. I've seen a Conservative Revolution take place because strong leaders fought bravely and inspired many for what was right, and now I've seen that revolution fail because weak leaders turned their backs on their own values and principles.
We know how to get there. Let's just do it right this time.
And along the way NEVER forget that you are an American first.
posted by El Capitan at 9:41 AM
5 comments