tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79686486352735997172024-03-12T20:26:51.305-07:00Unkawill's RamblingsThoughts and Observationsunkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-40670768192452710232008-03-31T17:57:00.000-07:002008-03-31T18:28:37.910-07:00AfganistanHey everybody!<br /><br />Sorry for the long delay. I have been swamped with the move to Bagram.<br />Bagram Air Field that is. I am surprised at how small this base is, area wise. I had supper last night with two F-15 pilots, 1st Lt's Arrow and Joker. After explaining how thrilling,we,on the ground, found their Combat takeoffs. I asked them what the elevation at the airfield was. Turns out to be 5000'. This place sits on alluvial deposits eroded from the surrounding rugged Snow-capped peaks of the Hindu Kush. A former Soviet base, it is still littered with the detrius and debris of its former incarnation, and that includes about a million Mines still on base and in the area.<br /><br />The Good? much cooler temps and some mountains to look at, not to mention a lot of cute chicks running around.<br /><br />The Bad? Primative living conditions and an even MORE BORING job than I had before.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-84468480741926332122007-12-09T01:30:00.000-08:002007-12-13T19:32:51.083-08:00List ManiaI stole this from Kris<br /><br />Everything <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bolded</span> - I have done:<br /><strong>01</strong>. Bought everyone in the bar a drink <strong>Many</strong> <strong>many</strong> <strong>times</strong><br /><br /><br />02. Swam with wild dolphins<br /><br /><br /><strong>03</strong>. Climbed a mountain: <strong>Several</strong> <strong>California, Texas and Germany</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>04</strong>. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive: <strong>And</strong> <strong>A</strong> <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pantera</span></strong><br /><br /><br />05. Been inside the Great Pyramid: <strong>not yet but it is on my to do list</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>06</strong>. Held a tarantula:<strong>Cool</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>07</strong>. Taken a candlelit bath with someone: <strong>If</strong> <strong>hot</strong> <strong>tubs</strong> <strong>count</strong>,<strong>Sure</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>08</strong>. Said “I love you” and meant it<br /><br /><br /><strong>09</strong>. Hugged a tree: <strong>and</strong> <strong>have</strong> <strong>climbed</strong> <strong>several</strong> <strong>hundred</strong>.<br /><br /><br />10. Bungee jumped: don't care to<br /><br /><br /><strong>11</strong>. Visited Paris: <strong>many</strong> <strong>times</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>12</strong>. Watched a lightning storm.<strong>Just</strong> <strong>last</strong> <strong>week</strong>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>13</strong>. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise. <strong>Almost</strong> <strong>every</strong> <strong>day</strong>.<br /><br /><br />14. Seen the Northern Lights<br /><br /><br /><strong>15</strong>. Gone to a huge sports game. <strong>NBA</strong> <strong>Finals</strong><br /><br /><br />16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa<br /><br /><br /><strong>17</strong>. Grown and eaten your vegetables: <strong>And</strong> <strong>fruit</strong>, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Canned</strong> <strong>them</strong> <strong>all</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>18</strong>. Touched an iceberg<br /><br /><br /><strong>19</strong>. Slept under the stars. <strong>More times than I can count</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>20</strong>. Changed a baby’s diaper. <strong>Not</strong> <strong>my</strong> <strong>favorite</strong> <strong>task</strong>, <strong>but</strong> <strong>several</strong> <strong>hundred</strong> <strong>times</strong><br /><br /><br />21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon<br /><br /><br /><strong>22</strong>. Watched a meteor shower. <strong>Look</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>them</strong> <strong>nightly,</strong> <strong>the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Geminids</span> are going on now</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>23</strong>. Gotten drunk on champagne<br /><br /><br /><strong>24</strong>. Given more than you can afford to charity<br /><br /><br /><strong>25</strong>. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope<br /><br /><br /><strong>26</strong>. Had<strong> </strong>an<strong> </strong>uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment<strong>: Boot camp in the Navy, Very Important <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Personel</span> Inspection, and a seagull dropped a load on the edge of the inspecting Officer's hat that ran down his face and on to his uniform. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kind'a</span> broke the decorum of the occasion, and I got into a lot of trouble.</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>27</strong>. Had a food fight.<br /><br /><br /><strong>28</strong> Bet on a winning horse. <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Retama</span> Downs is just 6 miles from my house in San Antonio, bet on a lot of losers too!</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>29</strong>. Asked out a stranger<br /><br /><br /><strong>30</strong>. Had a snowball fight<br /><br /><br /><strong>31</strong>.Screamed as loudly as you possibly can:<strong> looking for lost children</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>32</strong>. Held a lamb: <strong>Rack</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>lamb</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>33</strong>. Seen a total eclipse<br /><br /><br /><strong>34</strong>. Ridden a roller coaster<br /><br /><br /><strong>35</strong>. Hit a home run: <strong>5</strong> <strong>Lifetime</strong>, <strong>normally</strong> <strong>blooper</strong> <strong>singles</strong>, <strong>but</strong> <strong>a</strong> <strong>hit</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>a</strong> <strong>hit</strong>!<br /><br /><br /><strong>36</strong>. Danced like a fool and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">didn</span>’t care who was looking: <strong>Every</strong>. <strong>Single</strong>. <strong>Time</strong>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>37</strong>. Adopted an accent for an entire day (<strong>German</strong>, <strong>Aussie</strong>)<br /><br /><br /><strong>38</strong> Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment: <strong>Most of the time</strong><br /><br /><br />39. Had two hard drives for your computer<br /><br /><br />40. Visited all 50 states: <strong>Just 49 so far, need to get up to Maine</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>41</strong>. Taken care of someone who was drunk.<strong>far too often</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>42</strong>. Had amazing friends:<strong>I find if you are an amazing friend you will have them</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>43</strong>. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country<strong> </strong>: <strong>Germany, Belgium,Holland, England, Mexico,Canada, France, Kenya,The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Philipines</span>,<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hong</span> Kong,<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Thailand</span>,Japan,<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">UAE</span>. California</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>44</strong>. Watched whales: <strong>While <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">under weigh</span> and listened to them on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Sonar</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>45</strong>. Stolen a sign<strong> Not a street sign though, that's stupid and dangerous</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>46</strong>. Backpacked in Europe <strong>Rucksack</strong> <strong>anyone</strong>?<br /><br /><br /><strong>47</strong>. Taken a road-trip<br /><br /><br /><strong>48</strong>. Gone rock climbing<br /><br /><br /><strong>49</strong>. Midnight walk on the beach<br /><br /><br /><strong>50</strong>. Gone sky diving <strong>Many times</strong><br /><br />51. Visited Ireland<strong> Not yet</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>52</strong>. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love<strong> Still</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>53</strong>. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them<strong> Every day</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>54</strong>. Visited Japan <strong>7 times in the Navy</strong><br /><br /><br />55. Milked a cow<br /><br /><br /><strong>56</strong>. Alphabetized your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">CDs</span> <strong>And <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">cassettes</span> and albums</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Books</strong><br /><br /><br />57. Pretended to be a superhero<br /><br /><br /><strong>58</strong>. Sung karaoke:<strong> Love it!</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>59</strong>. Lounged around in bed all day<br /><br /><br /><strong>60</strong>. Played touch football<br /><br /><br />61. Gone scuba diving<strong> Plenty of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">snorkeling</span> though</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>62</strong>. Kissed in the rain<br /><br /><strong>63</strong>. Played in the mud<br /><br /><strong>64</strong>. Played in the rain<br /><br /><strong>65</strong>. Gone to a drive-in theater<br /><br />66. Visited the Great Wall of China<br /><br /><strong>67</strong>. Started a business <strong>Several</strong><br /><br />68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken<br /><br /><strong>69</strong>. Toured ancient sites <strong>the last one was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ziggurat</span> of UR</strong><br /><br />70. Taken a martial arts class <strong>Does Basic combat training count?</strong><br /><br /><strong>71</strong>. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight<strong> 48 hours straight 1980 in Germany, in the Army</strong><br /><br />72. Gotten married<br /><br />73. Been in a movie<br /><br /><strong>74</strong>. Crashed a party<br /><br />75. Gotten divorced<br /><br /><strong>76</strong>. Gone without food for 5 days: <strong>19 days, post appendectomy.</strong><br /><br />77. Made cookies from scratch<br /><br />78. Won first prize in a costume contest<br /><br />79. Ridden a gondola in Venice<br /><br /><strong>80</strong>. Gotten a tattoo<br /><br />81. Rafted the Snake River H<strong>ave done other rivers</strong><br /><br />82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”<br /><br />83. Gotten flowers for no reason<br /><br /><strong>84</strong>. Performed on stage<br /><br /><strong>85</strong>. Been to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Las</span> Vegas<br /><br />86. Recorded music<br /><br /><strong>87</strong>. Eaten shark<br /><br /><strong>88</strong>. Kissed on the first date<br /><br /><strong>89</strong>. Gone to Thailand<br /><br /><strong>90</strong>. Bought a house<br /><br /><strong>91</strong>. Been in a combat zone<br /><br />92. Buried one/both of your parents<br /><br /><strong>93</strong>. Been on a cruise ship<br /><br /><strong>94</strong>. Spoken more than one language fluently<br /><br />95. Performed in Rocky Horror<br /><br />96. Raised children<br /><br />97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour<br /><br /><strong>98</strong>. Passed out cold<br /><br />99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country<br /><br />100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over<br /><br />101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge<br /><br /><strong>102</strong>. Sang loudly in the car, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">didn</span>’t stop when you knew someone was looking<br /><br />103. Had plastic surgery<br /><br /><strong>104</strong>. Survived an accident that you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">shouldn't</span> have survived <strong>Swimming Pool accident knocked <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">unconscious</span>, my brother saved me</strong><br /><br />105. Wrote articles for a large publication<br /><br />106. Lost over 100 pounds<br /><br />107. Held someone while they were having a flashback<br /><br />108. Piloted an airplane<br /><br /><strong>109</strong>. Touched a stingray<br /><br /><strong>110</strong>. Broken someone’s heart<br /><br /><strong>111</strong>. Helped an animal give birth<br /><br />112. Won money on a T.V. game show <strong>Tried out for Jeopardy, didn't make it past the second round. Was nervous as hell</strong><br /><br /><strong>113</strong>. Broken a bone<br /><br /><strong>114</strong>. Gone on an African photo safari <strong>Not really a Safari, but Did drive around Kenya with a camera</strong><br /><br />115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears<strong> Abraded,Lacerated,Punctured, Contuded and Burned, but no Piercing, not even the Ears</strong><br /><br /><strong>116</strong>. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol <strong>All three plus,Machine Guns,Grenade Launchers,165mm Demolition Gun, Mortars,Laws Anti Tank Rockets,Stinger AntiAircraft Missle,Torpedoes,Anti Submarine Rockets,Claymore mines and a HELL of a lot of explosives.</strong><br /><br /><strong>117</strong>. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild<br /><br /><strong>118</strong>. Ridden a horse<strong> Not since I was a teenager</strong><br /><br /><strong>119</strong>. Had major surgery <strong>Appendectomy,Damn</strong> <strong>near</strong> <strong>killed</strong> <strong>me</strong>!<br /><br /><strong>120</strong>. Had a snake as a pet<br /><br />121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon<br /><br /><strong>122</strong>. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours<br /><br />123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states<br /><br />124. Visited all 7 continents<br /><br /><strong>125</strong>. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days<br /><br />126. Eaten kangaroo meat<br /><br /><strong>127</strong>. Eaten sushi<br /><br /><strong>128</strong>. Had your picture in the newspaper<br /><br /><strong>129</strong>. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about<br /><br /><strong>130</strong>. Gone back to school<br /><br />131. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Parasailed</span><br /><br /><strong>132</strong>. Touched a cockroach<strong> I am the designated bug wrangler for all the females I know, and I ate one once for a hunderd dollar bet. Yum!</strong><br /><br /><strong>133</strong>. Eaten fried green tomatoes<br /><br />134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey<br /><br /><strong>135</strong>. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read<br /><br /><strong>136</strong>. Killed and prepared an animal for eating <strong>Porky,Daffy, Foghorn Leghorn,<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Elsee</span>,Bambi,<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Thumper</span>, Snake, Coon, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Possum</span>,<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Squirrel</span>, Turkey, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">etc</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">etc</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br />137. Skipped all your school reunions<br /><br /><strong>138</strong>. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language<br /><br />139. Been elected to public office<br /><br />140. Written your own computer language<br /><br />141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream<br /><br />142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care<br /><br />143. Built your own PC from parts<br /><br /><strong>144</strong>. Sold your own artwork to someone who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">didn</span>’t know you<br /><br /><strong>145</strong>. Had a booth at a street fair <strong>Gun Shows,Flea Markets</strong><br /><br />146. Dyed your hair<br /><br />147. Been a DJ<br /><br /><strong>148</strong>. Shaved your head<br /><br /><strong>149</strong>. Caused a car accident<br /><br /><strong>150</strong>. Saved someone’s life<br /><br />I'll get around to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">fleshing</span> out some of the more interesting ones later<br /><abbr title=""><acronym title=""><b><code><em><i><strike><strong><br /><br /><br /></strong></strike></i></em></code></b></acronym><acronym title=""><b><code><em><i><strike><strong><br /></strong></strike></i></em></code></b></acronym>unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-74852404886129832032007-09-05T12:05:00.000-07:002007-09-05T12:12:40.765-07:00On the WayFinally!<br /><br />I am at the airport, first stop, Amsterdam, next stop The ME.<br /><br />I start getting Paid as soon as we go wheels up on the plane. Whooo Hoooo!!!<br /><br />The last 17 days with out working has been a strain on the credit cards, TBS it will be very nice to be debt free by thanksgiving!unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-53680582598512945572007-09-01T11:51:00.001-07:002007-09-14T10:50:22.118-07:00Boobs<div align="right">I stumbled across a blog written by a gal named Crystal , who lives in Crotch Dust Mississippi.<br /><br />She is the absolutlyist (is that a word?) funniest writer on the domestic front I have EVER read.<br /><br />NSFW if you get in trouble for laughing your ass off.<br /><br />Here is the link <a href="http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/">http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Enjoy<br /><br />I Fly on Wendsday!</div>unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-20362801886738104232007-08-28T20:53:00.000-07:002007-08-28T21:08:26.049-07:00LucyFor those of you whom have an abiding interest in Anthropology and Archeology like myself, prepare to be envious.<br /><br />Whilst I am stuck here in Houston till I get a flight to the ME. I have been casting about for some thing to do, and heard on the Radio a commercial for the Houston natural history museum, which is sponsoring an exhibit of the 3.2 million year old hominid fossile known as "Lucy", on loan from the Ethieopian (sp) Museum and accompianied by the 20 plus year caretaker of said fossile!<br /><br />I am in heaven!<br /><br />20 bucks to get in, and well worth it, in my eyes!<br /><br />Tomorrow is going to be a GOOD Day!unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-56022575447456277342007-08-26T15:06:00.000-07:002007-08-26T15:13:32.165-07:00Contact!I can no longer blog.<br /><br />contact me at <a href="mailto:unkawill321@yahoo.com">unkawill321@yahoo.com</a> , iffen ya want the skinny!unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-12509560980271192612007-08-26T13:56:00.001-07:002007-08-26T14:13:04.411-07:00Back to the SandboxMy flight out to the M.E. should happen mid week.<br /><br />UNFORTUNATLY, The contract I signed has a clause stipulating "NO BLOGS".PERIOD.<br /><br />Due to OPSEC and contractual considerations I will no longer be allowed to publish my writing, as awful as it is.<br /><br />Thank you for your support.<br /><br />The contract said nothing about commenting on other websites, so please look for my snark in all the usual places!<br /><br /> If you want to contact me directly my E - M a i l is, U n k a w i l l 3 2 1 at y a h o o d o t c o m .<br /><br />Damn, I'm gonna miss this.<br /><br />Thanks Y'allunkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-23137999605396088902007-08-19T09:35:00.000-07:002007-08-26T15:48:07.042-07:00Back to Iraq, The PartyLast night,a party was thrown in my honor. A good time was had by all. Karaoke was sung, and Unkawill was a sight to behold on the dance floor, gettin all kinds of jiggy with it, I was.<br /><br />I am Humbled by the amount of love that was thrown my way, who knew I had so many friend's?<br /><br />I didn't get a head count, and if I have to guess, I would say, north of 60 people cared enough to show up and help me celebrate.<br /><br />The food was Awesome as usual, and the menu read as follows.<br /><br />Brisket, Sausage, Chicken fajitas, Tater salad, Beans, Armadillo Eggs, Pico, Deviled Eggs, Chips and Queso, A Gorgeous Chocolate cake, and a bunch of other stuff.<br /><br />It was all delicious, thanks to everybody who brought a dish, Y'all Rock!<br /><br />Up at 8:30 this morning, doing laundry, taking care of all the last little details, packing my bags, head out to the airport around 2 for my 4:30 flight to Houston.<br /><br /><br /><br />Update! Aug. 26, 2007<br /><br />Done with my Indoc process, should fly mid week, thanks for your support and Prayers!unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-76287292372021834642007-08-16T15:50:00.000-07:002007-08-16T16:31:09.987-07:00HRDid the back and forth with HR today, submitted the rest of my paper work, got my Birth certificate in the mail from Alabama and received my manifest to fly to Houston, Sunday afternoon, so I can start the glorious hurry up and wait that is the in processing process.<br /><br />Fun! 10 days of filling out forms, getting fitted for MOPP gear and Body armor,Physical check up/out, Classes, KBR corporate culture,Middle eastern culture, But mostly sitting around and catching up on my reading.<br />I should get through at least 4 books in those ten days, and the first one is going to be " The Arab Mind". I have already started reading it and am about 80 pages into it.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-70092172032117241592007-08-13T16:33:00.000-07:002007-08-14T10:10:14.785-07:00Whoo am I tired!Busy,busy, busy.<br /><br />Tried to install a house full of shutters on friday, in Georgetown Tx. which is about 120 miles north of me.<br /><br />While tootling along on I35 about halfway there, I notice that I am emitting a huge amount of white smoke from under my van. Aw CRAP!<br /><br />Quickly pulling over to inspect the malfunction, I find my Transmission leaking fluid all over the place.<br />Diagnosis: Blown front seal, scorched and fried Xmission.<br /><br />Remedy: 5 quarts of fluid, and limp back to the swamp, while calling the client to reschedule for monday, Pull tranny, rebuild tranny, reinstall tranny, done at 2 am sat morning. Which BTW is the fastest I have ever done a rebuild job, a little less than 16 hours.<br /><br />Up at 730 Sat morning, install 5 houses full of blinds with my Xo get back to the office around 5, and do paperwork till 9, go to Papa's bar and grill for libations and karaoke, get to bed, after Jack in the Box, around 1:30 am.<br /><br />sunday, up at 7:30 take aspirin with my coffee, peruse the opinion columns, start the first of 5 load's of laundry,MOW the Friggin Yard, WBTW, was about a foot high, due to all of the rain we have had recently, and build a King sized upholstered headboard. done about 10pm in bed at 11.<br /><br />monday, on the road at 8, get to the job site at 10, and promptly blow out the crotch on my slacks, so there I am all commando, swinging in the breeze, Howdy, everybody.<br /><br />Thank GOD for safety pins.<br /><br />Get done around 2:30 and wait around so as to get paid, get back to San Antonio around 6pm<br />do paper work till 8 go back to Papa's for more libations and to see an old GF who had just heard of my impending departure.<br /><br />Get to bed @ midnight.<br /><br />today, up at 6 coffee, paper, out the door at 7:30 pick up 6 orders from the factory, back to the office, take about 20 phone calls and write this post.<br /><br />Time for lunch!unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-72310025429464027472007-08-10T00:24:00.000-07:002007-08-09T17:55:04.984-07:00HellSubject: Exothermic or endothermic?<br /><br />The following is an actual question given on a University ofWashington Chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well:<br /><br /><br /><br />Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic> (absorbs heat)<br />><br />> Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law<br />> (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some<br />> variant.<br />><br />> One student, however, wrote the following:<br />><br />> First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So<br />> we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the<br />> rate at which they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume<br />> that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls<br />> are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at<br />> the different religions that exist in the world today. Most of these<br />> religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you<br />> will go to Hell.<br />><br />> Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do<br />> not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls<br />> go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the<br />> number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.<br />><br />> Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because<br />> Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in<br />> Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand<br />> proportionately as souls are added.<br />><br />> This gives two possibilities:<br />><br />> 1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls<br />> enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase<br />> until all Hell breaks loose. 2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster<br />> than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure<br />> will drop until Hell freezes over.<br />><br />> So which is it?<br />><br />> If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman<br />> year that, "It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you,"<br />> and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then<br />> number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic<br />> and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that<br />> since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any<br />> more souls and is therefore, extinct......leaving only Heaven,<br />> thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why,<br />> last night, Teresa kept shouting "Oh my God!"<br />><br />> THIS STUDENT RECEIVED THE ONLY "A"<br /><br />Shamelessly stolen from daveinboca at <a href="http://daveinboca.blogspot.com/">http://daveinboca.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />GO ON OVER AND CHECK HIM OUT!unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-14366121412493080082007-08-09T10:37:00.003-07:002007-08-09T14:55:34.274-07:00FamilyOut of the blue, yesterday, I get a call from my brother unkajim, Hey bro, what's up? say's me.<br /><br />UJ: What kind of bennie's does KBR provide?<br /><br />UW: Health,life, and not much else. Why do you want to know?<br /><br />UJ: Well, I'm thinking that you might want some company over there!<br /><br />UW: Your shitting me!<br /><br />UJ: Now why would I shit my favorite turd. No I'm serious, been talking it over with the wife,and we think it's a good idea. Get out debt, pay off the house and retire in 3 years.<br /><br />UW:Well Cool! I could probably arrange for us to share a trailer, what job are you looking at applying for?<br /><br />UJ: Admin assistant.<br /><br />Well needless to say, this caught me by surprise, and we ended up having a rather lengthy chat about living conditions and amenities over in the box.<br /><br />I hope he gets it, it would defiantly be nice to have someone looking out for me in admin.<br /><br />On a side note, my dental appointment went well, and I will be spending the rest of the day dealing with my application paperwork.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-78127658201216012502007-08-07T20:05:00.000-07:002007-08-07T20:14:20.642-07:00Future Plan'sI have been mulling an idea around in the old noggin for a couple of weeks, as to becoming somewhat of an ersatz embed interveiwer of military and civilian deployee's while I am in the sandbox.<br /><br /> A man on the street kind of thing.<br /><br />What say you?unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-35741612981505832892007-08-06T17:06:00.000-07:002007-08-06T17:54:04.238-07:00Weekend RecapI had the distinct pleasure of meeting FBL of Fuzzylicious Thinking, Saturday night, (link in the sidebar) along with Merrilee Carlson, of Families United, <a href="http://www.familiesunited.com/">www.familiesunited.com</a> Merrilee's son Army Sgt. Michael Carlson, drowned in a rollover accident in Iraq Jan-24-2005 along with most of his Squad. She formed the above named organization to help support the troop's after his death.<br /><br />Both of these Lady's are an Inspiration to me.<br /><br />This was also the first time I have been privileged to meet up in "MeatSpace" anybody whom I have only known through the Internet.<br /><br />On the in processing process, today I took and passed the WABI test, again (workplace attitude and behavior inventory) and had my chopper's checked out at the Dentist, two caries to be filled on Wednesday, and the obligatory lecture on flossing. Damn I hate getting my teeth worked on.<br /><br />On a seperate note, I have installed a site counter, and have been checking out where my traffic is coming from.<br /><br />Y'all don't be shy, please feel free to leave a comment or a simple Howdy, ifin that'll do ya!unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-90965628680561532372007-08-04T13:32:00.000-07:002007-08-04T16:06:16.372-07:00Tag I'm ItGood friend FBL, Tagged me with the 8 thing's about me that nobody knows Meme.<br /><br />So in no paticular order, Here goes.<br /><br />3. I am right handed, but feel more comfortable shooting weapons and pool left handed.<br /><br />7. I sew professionally.<br /><br />1. I have been to every state except Maine.<br /><br />5. I sing Karaoke, nasty habit but one I enjoy.<br /><br />8. I wasted my vote in the last election on Kinky Friedman<br /><br />2. I dropped out of High School in the 10th grade.<br /><br />6. I was Soldier of the Year 1980 for the 7th Engineer Brigade in Germany.<br /><br />4. I have been to the grave of General George S. Patton.<br /><br />There are a lot more where these came from, Y'all will just have to wait for the next game of Tag.<br /><br />As it's apparent that I came pretty late to this Meme, I'll just let it die a natural death of old age right here, and not tag anybody else.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-26542625090972860752007-08-02T20:46:00.000-07:002007-08-02T21:08:28.415-07:00AdminLot's going on around these here parts, FBL is in town, and I am very much looking forward to meeting this wonderful Lady, perhaps Saturday night, I hope any way. TBS, another 12 hour day, leaving, in my wake, smiling,happy, satisfied customers!<br /><br />I just wish that I would have had a little more of a warning of her visit, as my schedule is normally set about 2-3 weeks in advance.<br /><br />What with regular work, running around trying to take care of the KBR stuff, and the Swamping, buy my Client's, to finish what they have on their respective plates, and training My XO to handle the CEO duties, Well Y'all get the picture.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-18462105471484804592007-08-01T19:53:00.000-07:002007-08-01T20:01:33.718-07:00HRGot a 30+ page document from HR today consisting of a to do list, of stuff I have to take care of before reporting to Houston.<br /><br />Therefore, The posting will be light around here till I take care of the list.<br /><br />Priorities and such, please bear with me, all 4 of Y'all.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-85549409397251636492007-07-29T16:05:00.000-07:002007-07-29T16:15:45.061-07:00P.C. Run AmokBlack Holes Renamed 'Super High Gravity Locations'<br />BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - The International Space Nomenclature Council today adopted the term 'emplacements de hats gravité super' - or 'super high gravity locations' - as the official replacement name for black holes. Originally named in reference to the fact that light cannot escape their intense gravity, the term 'black hole' was increasingly criticized as being insensitive to African-Americans and African-Europeans."We're glad the council finally took action on this issue." said Isaiah Herman, Chairman of the National African-American Coalition of People. "The unimaginable destructive power of these super high gravity locations was giving the word 'black' a negative connotation throughout the universe."Super high gravity locations are the remnants of giant stars that collapse into a substance so dense that it has a gravitational pull that consumes all matter that comes near it. "They're the bad boys of the cosmos." says Naked Immure, Professor of Astronomic Anthropology at Howyflyl University. "You would definitely want to cross the street if you saw one coming."Early after their discovery, there was little controversy over the former name of super high gravity locations. However in recent years, scientists theorized that most galaxies had massive super high gravity locations at their cores, and would eventually be swallowed up by them. A doomsday overtone began to be associated with the former 'black holes' - even a slang term for something unendingly wasteful developed - prompting the insensitivity criticism."There was never any intent to be offensive or malicious." says Imsure, commenting on the original naming of super high gravity locations. "It just seemed to fit at the time. But this name fits well too - it's definitely a location of super high gravity."<br /><br />Shamelessly stolen from <a href="http://www.dailyredundancy.com/archives/1018.html">http://www.dailyredundancy.com/archives/1018.html</a><br /><br />HT to carnival of the insanitiesunkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-71284556176943558182007-07-25T15:30:00.000-07:002007-07-25T15:52:43.379-07:00Evan AlmightyEvan Almighty, I have seen the trailers, I have NOT seen the movie. I will pick it up in bootleg form when I get to Iraq.<br /><br />It has rained here every day but three this month. This constant rainfall makes it extremely difficult to practice my trade.<br /><br />It has also submerged 12 vehicles in our overflow lot, here behind the Swamp.<br /><br />The Swamp? pray tell unkawill, what is the Swamp?<br /><br />The Swamp is my office/warehouse space,upstairs on a split level 10,000 sf corrugated tin building, downstairs is a three bay garage suitable for working on big rigs and any other vehicles for that matter.<br /><br />Fully equipped with 2 hydraulic hoists, pneumatic system, welding gear, presses, and special tools.<br /><br />Amenities include, pool table, dart board, tv,stereo, internet,refrigerators microwave and BBQ pit.<br /><br />Friends and family visit often.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-45554940951156854202007-07-24T16:27:00.000-07:002007-07-24T16:33:56.333-07:00Continued Dealings with HRIt's official.<br /><br />Report to Houston, Aug. 20 for in processing.<br /><br />I'm going to have to buy a new laptop to take with me, as I donated my last one to Valor-IT.<br /><br />I'll blog the in processing process, as I'll be in Houston at least ten days, bored out of my skull and nothing to do at night.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-19923031517174492452007-07-23T15:10:00.000-07:002007-07-23T15:32:49.880-07:00Continued Dealings with HRThe conference call went just as expected,You are going to be in a war zone, you could die, 1 year open ended contract, you can leave at any time, we can fire you at anytime, for any reason.<br /><br />Some reasons for immediate termination,<br /><br />1. being caught with alcohol.<br /><br />2.Possessing a firearm<br /><br />3. Drugs<br /><br />4. insubordination<br /><br />5. refusing to go on a mission<br /><br />A bunch of other information as to the physical, ie; no diabetes,high blood pressure ect...<br /><br />I have to take a personality test to make sure that I play well with others and get my dentist to sign off on a form stipulating that I can go a year with out treatment.<br /><br />A bunch of boilerplate, covering their asses, The exact same thing I went through last time.<br /><br />All in all, just what I expected.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-53467594170116841232007-07-23T11:11:00.000-07:002007-07-23T11:27:53.473-07:00Continued Dealings with HRWell, I got my print out from the DMV,It contained 1 speeding ticket in Tennessee in 96, which I remember, and 1 Defective Equipment citation in Montana in 98, which I don't remember.<br /><br />Anyway, I sent this info off to the Hr dept. along with a copy of my DL and have been instructed to participate in a conference call at 3 this afternoon with the recruiter and other applicant's.<br /><br />The call is part of the screening process that I don't recall having to go through previously.<br /><br />I think they just want to weed out the squeamish or the faint hearted, before they actually spend money flying us to Houston.<br /><br />Will update after the call.unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-29687191741098207302007-07-20T19:34:00.000-07:002007-07-20T21:00:35.707-07:00Reason'sFirst off, Michelle and Kris, Thank you both for your Kindness and concern for my wellbeing. I too consider Y'all friends,almost sisters, heck I've had more and better conversations with both of you, than most of my real sisters in the last year or so.<br /><br />Although my last tour ended poorly with me almost dieing of a ruptured appendix, I was not ready to quit,just forced to, while I recuperated from the surgery.<br /><br />I made some good friends over there, Men tend to bond when facing hardship and danger. I still keep in touch with three of my buds, one each in Anaconda, TQ and Camp Victory.<br /><br />When I came home to recover, I had every intention of returning as soon as possible.<br />Life however had other plans. As I got better,and word got out that I was back in town, I started getting phone calls from former client's (Interior Designer's and Decorators) all worried and thankful that I was home, but the conversation would end up with them asking me to do just this one little job for them PleasePleasePlease PLEASE, cause we don't like anybody else doing our work, and you are SOOOO GOOOOD with our customers!<br /><br />Well with that and the need to take care of my mother, who is in fragile health, I formally reopened my shop.<br /><br />The catalyst of this decision was last month when I sat in on a meeting with my Niece Helen and an Army Recruiter, as the conversation unfolded, he suggested that I reenlist. What! No WAY!<br />WAY! said he, because of your prior service you are still eligible! Well blow me down! Still I thought about it, but I fear I would'nt make it through boot camp and if I did, I would be taking a serious cut in pay, and have to work for someone half my age.<br /><br />The one factor that lets me go, is one of my sisters is getting a divorce, and has moved in with me and is looking after Mom, taking the burden of her care off of my shoulders, and freeing me of the responsibility to stick around.<br /><br />But the main reason I am going back is financial, after all is said and done, accounts balanced, taxes paid, My net, at the end of the year is around 40K, on a Gross of 300K I have good and capable employees who can continue to service my accounts and I will have my sister take care of the payroll and admin responsibilities.<br /><br />I'll net 10K a month, 1st 85K, Tax free and that will certainly help my 401k.<br /><br />Michelle, Sorry about the F-man thingy and I'll expect to meet both you and Kris at some point in the future and I intend to attend the mext milblog conferenceunkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-34618436110678592542007-07-20T19:21:00.000-07:002007-07-20T19:34:50.660-07:00Why?I have received a query as to my reasons for returning to Iraq in the comments to my last post, I will do my best to articulate my thoughts and feelings , but first, I'll post the comment string and then I'll reply.<br /><br />Anonymous said...<br />The things we do...The things we do...<br />July 17, 2007 8:06 PM <a title="Delete Comment" style="BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none" onclick="'window.open(this.href," height="370,width=" href="https://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=7968648635273599717&postID=1690323701849871590"></a><br />Anonymous said...<br />So tell me unkawill.Why??Enquiring minds...And, of course, all the best. Fair winds and all that....But why?<br />July 18, 2007 9:04 PM <a title="Delete Comment" style="BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none" onclick="'window.open(this.href," height="370,width=" href="https://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=7968648635273599717&postID=545593996361705548"></a><br />unkawill said...<br />Well that is going to take a post of it's own,and I'll get right on that, if you would be so kind as to drop the anon moniker.filterman?<br />July 19, 2007 5:23 PM <a title="Delete Comment" style="BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none" onclick="'window.open(this.href," height="370,width=" href="https://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=7968648635273599717&postID=5456093717709741528"></a><br /><a onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" href="http://www.reflectionsbykris.squarespace.com/" rel="nofollow">Kris, in New England</a> said...<br />Unkawill - as curious as I am about your reasons for doing this again, for putting yourself into harm's way like this - it's your decision for your reasons. Post them or not - I'll be keeping you in my thoughts until you return safely to home soil.It's a funny thing, your announcement. I mean, I've been a supporter of the GWOT since 9/12/01. I've immersed myself in milblogs and made it a personal mission to keep as informed as possible about what's going on "over there" and in the rest of the world. I consider a few of the milbloggers, and some in their communities, to be friends - though I've never met any of them. But this, your announcement? Somehow makes it all the more personal now. We've traded comments, snarks and opinions, all in good fun. And though I've never met you - I care about what happens to you. Something about this whole milblog community makes it feel like we all "know" each other from a common ground of some kind.I know - I'm babbling now and probably not making any sense. I'm a sentimental girl and just can't help it. Sorry.<br />July 20, 2007 6:31 AM <a title="Delete Comment" style="BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none" onclick="'window.open(this.href," height="370,width=" href="https://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=7968648635273599717&postID=6271944202504990167"></a><br />Michelle said...<br />Sorry, unkawill.The fact that you confused me for fliterman, not very flattering. But perhaps somehow appropriate?;-)'Tis me, Michelle, from Lex's. But I wasn't Google/Blogger so I went with "anon". And I must admit, I was curious as to whether you could decipher who it was LOLAnyway, as Kris said, you have your reasons and there certainly is no need for you to share them if you would rather not. Its just that I know you have your own business, your last experience in country certainly wasn't the best and... I guess I kind of thought that if you went back it would be in the military.But I too am babbling... in this case about stuff that really is none of my business. I certainly wish you all the best over there. Like Kris said, even though we've never met, it makes it all so much more personal. And one could say that we've had an interesting relationship since meeting up on TFD, no?Take care and if you choose to post the "why", I will certainly be reading. Any idea on when you will go?<br />July 20, 2007 10:29 AMunkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7968648635273599717.post-43792208782331952862007-07-17T19:00:00.000-07:002007-07-17T19:08:30.175-07:00Continued Dealings with HRGot a call this morning, 07:30, from KBR.<br /><br />You are on the rehire list, I need a copy of your drivers licence, front and back, and your driving record from the Texas dept of Public Safety.<br /><br />I went to the DPS web site and ordered a copy, it will be here in 5 days, so they say.<br /><br />Once they get that in their hands, the inprocessing starts .unkawillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228367163234841862noreply@blogger.com5