Retro = Cool

Hey, if you haven't already purchased yours, make sure to while supplies last. The newest in cellular and retro cool technology. The Retro-Cellular Handset!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7830/

Quote of the Day

I thought this was an interesting Quote for us all to consider. Whether you are Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Buddist, or an Individual, it is important to note why much of the world is at war with one another. In fact, some could argue that beliefs, are the only thing that cause war.

"What weighs nothing and yet is powerful enough to start a war? A belief." Unknown

Airman's words fly shop into chaos, improve productivity

A recent slip of the tounge by a young Airman First Class (we will call him Airman Topo Map) slipped the normally peaceful 366 Logistics Readiness Squadrons Air Terminal Operations Flight into utter chaos. On Monday afternoon a certain Staff Sergeant (we will call him Sgt. Chuck Taylor left shoe) asked Airman Topo Map how close he was to getting his flightline drivers licsense. At the time Topo Map was surfing the internet and looking up some phat' scores on his home team. (Cuz dats whats we do back in da crib ya know) Without even looking up from the screen he replied "I'm workin on it". SSgt Chuck Taylor left shoe responded by telling him "It sure doesn't look like it, you need to be working on it instead of looking at this crap"
"Hold on man"
"What the $#@# did you just say!! In my office now!!
"Ok oK in a second man"
"I SAID IN MY OFFICE NOW YOU WILL NOT DISRESPECT ME!!"
At this point Topo Map got off his ass, and proceeded to get a quite complete chewing of the hind quarters by SSgt Chuck Taylor left shoe, TSgt Belt Buckle and MSgt Doritos Bag. Afterwards a harsh silence fell over the entire shop and people vacated the scene like cockroaches. Now a new sense of edginess has fallen over the shop, with rumors of harsh punishment to come for infractions and laziness. When asked later about the incident SSgt Chuck Norris left shoe replied "Damn kid, just lucky we weren't in Iraq or I would have instituted some wall to wall counseling."
"Yes jolly o we need to bring that back" said Pippin
"Shut up Pippin"
A1C Topo Map had this to say about the incident "Well you know I was workin on it, but not very hard, I know I disrepected him but he didn't need to yell at me like that. I mean I'm just a dumb airman. Maybe next time a NCO tells me to do something I'll do it then and not be a moron."
Mr. Real Mckenzies came forward with this statement "I think this is what this place really needed. It been a long time since there has been a real good chewing of the posterior around here"
"Right 'o' chaps" said Pippin
"Shut up Pippin"
Since then workers make themselves busy through out the day, not wanting to be seen sitting around. The same forklift has been checked out and washed at least 5 times today. Training gets done on time now.
"Sgt. Chuck Taylor left shoe struck me a usually a quite kind of guy, didn't really expect him to get loud like that, don't want to piss him off no way." said SrA Lord of the Rings DVD
New to the Air Force Airman Basic Obe Won Kenobi thought "He is my supervisor I hope he doesn't freak out on me like that."
"I'm glad I had such a impression on the airmen, this way they are acutally more productive. You would be amazed what taking away someones weekend or making them stay late will do. But seriously what do I care I'm out in May... yeah. Hell yeah." Said SSgt Chuck Taylor left shoe.

Christmas Gone Wild

If you think you have seen it all on Christmas, think again. This is an example of "Taking it too far". You have to admire the people that did this though:

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000263069055/ - Click on the picture series to view Clark Griswold times 2.

Attention all Birds!

ATTENTION ALL BIRDS

Official Department of Homeland Insecurity Memo:

Due to a heightened state of alert concerning the bird flu virus, the Department of Homeland Insecurity has determined that birds will no longer be offered unrestricted access to United States airspace.

As of January 1, 2006, all migratory birds will be required to arrive at international airports where Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personnel will check for proper travel documentation and clear the birds for entry into the United States, provided they are not carrying undeclared fruit, which is even more dangerous than bird flu.

All birds wishing to enter this country will be required to carry passports, proof of immunizations, and entry visas. Birds who do not have visas will be charged (ducks will be billed) a flat $250 entry fee which must be paid three separate times, at three different government offices, after standing in three different lines as per standard INS regulations.
All undocumented birds shall hereforth be deemed "terrorists."

Birds entering U.S. airspace without proper authorization will be escorted by military aircraft to the nearest landing facility.

Birds("terrorists") that approach the Pentagon or White House will be fired upon with bird-seeking air-to-air missiles. All such violence will be televised by Fox News in a glitzy special entitled "Terror from above!"

The Department of Homeland Insecurity is requesting that all hunters and N.R.A. members assemble on the U.S. / Mexico border and shoot anything that appears to be flying. This includes UFOs, which are required to be videotaped with low-resolution video cameras held by people experiencing epileptic seizures.

Birds attempting to illegally cross the U.S. / Canada border in order to gain entry will be rounded up by volunteer bird watchers armed with high-powered binoculars and delivered to Tyson Foods' Guantanamo Bay Division for interrogation at the hands of experienced bird torturers. (Torture photos will be posted online by Dick Cheney.)

Parrots that unquestioningly repeat everything they hear may be offered jobs as reporters covering the White House beat.

Birds who attempt to impersonate chickens will be eaten by Morgan Spurlock.

Birds whose migratory patterns are disrupted by this Homeland Insecurity action will be offered assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), which is standing by with five thousand tons of ice that was never delivered to hurricane Katrina victims and still hasn't completely melted.

All bird houses owned by U.S. citizens must be registered with federal officials under Chapter IV, Section 8 of the Patriot Act.

Citizens caught harboring undocumented birds in undeclared bird houses will be deemed "enemy combatants" and subjected to the whims of Tyson Foods foul interrogators.

All birds made of white meat are hereby requested to report to their nearest INS facility for processing into Chicken McNuggets.Questions about these policies should be directed to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's food pyramid website, which has the same answer for everyone: "Drink more milk."

Thank you for your compliance,
- The Department of Homeland Insecurity, Multiplication Division

Authored by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.
http://www.NewsTarget.com/013054.html

Quote of the Day - Special Edition

This Quote of the day is for Ben. Since he thinks they are "Super Cool".

"Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right." Henry Ford

still rockin' on

Well.....hmmmm haven't written anything in a long time. Have I had any adventures lately, that can even become to compare with my posts from Iraq? I mean you can't really top the streets of Iraq in terms of sheer adrenaline. Nothing like an IED to get the heart pumping, or to know how big the line between life and death is. (About this big _______) Most of my posts are usually stories that deal with my life or tied to it some how, not deep philosophical stuff like Bryan and his "quote of the day" (which are usually super cool yeah). I think my time over there has really given me a new outlook on life. I sure appreciate things a whole lot more, (hot women, cold beer) but just not appreciating things. Over there I was the Lead Guntruck Commander. What I did was control the convoy in all terms. I was the master of my domain. I spotted the IEDs, the gunmen on the sandy knoll, I set the pace for the convoy, I lead from the front. I noticed everything. I still do. It is called hyper alertness. I'm not looking for IEDs or the such, but when I see something I truely see it. It is really just paying more attention to my surroundings. It surely makes enjoying the outdoors a whole cooler experience. So I'm still rockin' on. I really have enjoyed my time back. It took a little getting used to, but at least I'm not wigging out every time a car comes speeding at me from a intersecting road any more. Camping, hiking , what have you its been great. I would really like to thank my family and friends for being so supportive while I was deployed and since I have gotten back. Thanks for listening to my slurred stories and just being there for me. Trust me you haven't heard them all. Well bring on the Snow and lets go tear up some Freshie!!

Whistler your next!

The Death of Compassionate Conservatism

I had to share this with everyone. This comes from a Christian magazine, but applies to everyone. They make a VERY good point.


Hearts & Minds - The death of compassionate conservatism
by Jim Wallis

Last week, I spoke with other religious leaders at a pressconference in the U.S. Capitol, urging the House ofRepresentatives to oppose cuts in social services in theirbudget bill. When it was over, we walked to the rotunda to offera prayer for our nation and its leaders, that they would do theright thing for people in poverty. Suddenly, we were face toface with Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and took theopportunity to deliver our message directly to him. He listenedpolitely, but offered little response.

The House is scheduled to begin debate tomorrow on its budgetbill, which includes $54 billion in cuts. On the table are cutsof $9.5 billion in Medicaid - by requiring co-pays for pregnantwomen and children for the first time; $8 billion in fostercare, child support enforcement, and aid to the disabled; and$844 million in the Food Stamps Program, which would prevent300,000 people from receiving food stamps. Forty thousandchildren would be cut from reduced-price school lunches.Lawmakers intend to follow these with a further cut of $70billion in taxes that will primarily benefit the top 3% oftaxpayers. The message from Congress is that in response toHurricane Katrina, we're going to cut services for the poor, cuttaxes for the rich, and increase deficits for our children and grandchildren.

These plans for deep cuts to social supports, paid for by taxcuts for the wealthiest, are contrary to the national prioritieswe need to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We need strongmoral leadership in Congress, especially during this time ofwar, record deficits, rising poverty and hunger, and naturaldisasters. Cutting food stamps and health care that meet thebasic needs of poor families is an outrage. Cutting socialservices to pay for further tax cuts for the rich is a moraltravesty that violates biblical priorities. The House leadershipseems to be saying they literally want to take food from themouths of children to make rich people richer. If this ideologyand politics of rich over poor prevails and our leaders fail togovern from a set of moral values, then the religious communitymust conclude that compassionate conservatism is dead.

As this battle for the budget unfolds, I am calling on membersof Congress, some of whom make much out of their faith, to startBible studies before they cast votes to cut services that willfurther harm the weakest in our nation. They should focus on thegospel imperative - what Jesus tells us about our obligations tothe "least of these." Some of them have heard the slogan "Whatwould Jesus do?" Now they should ask, "What would Jesus cut?"Budgets are moral documents, and they reflect our nationalpriorities and values. In the name of social conscience, fiscalresponsibility, equal opportunity, protecting our communities,and the very idea of a common good, the upcoming budget voteswill be closely watched by people of faith.

I urge you to read the alert that follows, pick up your phone,and call your member of Congress. Tell him or her to showpolitical will in standing up for the least of these, as Jesusreminds us.

------------------------------------------------

Call Rep. Simpson now, toll-free:
(800) 426-8073 (Thank you, American Friends Service Committee).
The House of Representatives will vote on this immoral budgetproposal as early as Thursday of this week, and a one-minutecall from you and others could mean the difference between a"yea" or a "nay" vote from Rep. Simpson. Dialingthe number above will get you to the Capitol switchboard. Whenyou reach an operator, ask for Rep. Simpson, andwhen connected, say something like:

"As a person of faith from Idaho, I urge Rep.Simpson to vote "no" on this immoral budget billthat cuts $54 billion in vital services to vulnerable people,including Medicaid, foster care, food stamps, and child support.These cuts will hurt survivors of Katrina and countless workingfamilies. Along with proposed tax cuts for the super-wealthy,these are the wrong priorities at the wrong time."

Since Sliced Bread!

Have you ever had a great idea on how to change America for the better? Have you ever wished there was a way to get your idea across and really try to make a difference with it? Well, now there is a way! Maybe. I came across a company that really intrigued me with what they were doing. The company is called Since Sliced Bread (http://www.sinceslicedbread.com/) . They are asking anyone and everyone to submit their ideas for a better America. Not only that, they really want to implement the changes that are submitted. The catch? Thousands of people are sending in their ideas, and only one will be chosen. The upside? If you are smart/fortunate enough to get the winning idea, they will pay you $100,000 dollars. Fire up the motors and start submitting!

Slow it down a bit - Follow your dream

The world is a crazy place, and moves at a pace similar to that of a honey bee. The harder you work, the more you are rewarded. The more money you make, the happier you will be. Can we all agree this is true? Do we all believe in this “system”? Personally, I would like to think not. I would like to think that we have it all wrong. That our current system of work for money, get paid. Don’t get paid, don’t have enough money, get stressed. And since the majority of us don’t seem to have enough money, instead we spend our lives stressing out about it, and possibly not living the lives we were meant to.

Last year I was inspired by a group of people that happened to pass through my small town. They were camped in the park across the street from my house, and on the side of their trailer was painted a large logo that read, www.10mph.com .

What these people were doing was amazing. They quit their corporate jobs to pursue their dream. They decided to throw “conventional wisdom” out the door, and pursue what was in their hearts. Not only that, they decided to include the world, and hopefully inspire them to do the same.

If you haven’t already, check out what these guys are doing. They are well on their way to completing their documentary about America. I think you will enjoy reviewing their trailer.

Click here to learn more

Quote of the Day

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." Walt Disney

Quote of the Day

"Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements." Napoleon Hill

Do what I say, not what I do

This is just another article highlighting and proving the absolute error American's made in electing George W. Bush. So far, he has more qualities of evil than that of what he tries to make us think. Even when listening to NPR the other day, the only good reason it gave for Bush nominating Harriet Miers was that "They Share a common Faith". BS!!! Read below.

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: October 19, 2005

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (Iraq News Agency) - A delegation of Iraqi judges and journalists abruptly left the U.S. today, cutting short its visit to study the workings of American democracy. A delegation spokesman said the Iraqis were "bewildered" by some of the behavior of the Bush administration and felt it was best to limit their exposure to the U.S. system at this time, when Iraq is taking its first baby steps toward democracy.



Friedman Responds to Reader


The lead Iraqi delegate, Muhammad Mithaqi, a noted secular Sunni judge who had recently survived an assassination attempt by Islamist radicals, said that he was stunned when he heard President Bush telling Republicans that one reason they should support Harriet Miers for the U.S. Supreme Court was because of "her religion." She is described as a devout evangelical Christian.

Mithaqi said that after two years of being lectured to by U.S. diplomats in Baghdad about the need to separate "mosque from state" in the new Iraq, he was also floored to read that the former Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr, now a law school dean, said on the radio show of the conservative James Dobson that Miers deserved support because she was "a very, very strong Christian [who] should be a source of great comfort and assistance to people in the households of faith around the country."

"Now let me get this straight," Judge Mithaqi said. "You are lecturing us about keeping religion out of politics, and then your own president and conservative legal scholars go and tell your public to endorse Miers as a Supreme Court justice because she is an evangelical Christian?

"How would you feel if you picked up your newspapers next week and read that the president of Iraq justified the appointment of an Iraqi Supreme Court justice by telling Iraqis: 'Don't pay attention to his lack of legal expertise. Pay attention to the fact that he is a Muslim fundamentalist and prays at a Saudi-funded Wahhabi mosque.' Is that the Iraq you sent your sons to build and to die for? I don't think so. We can't have our people exposed to such talk."

A fellow delegation member, Abdul Wahab al-Unfi, a Shiite lawyer who walks with a limp today as a result of torture in a Saddam prison, said he did not want to spend another day in Washington after listening to the Bush team defend its right to use torture in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfi said he was heartened by the fact that the Senate voted 90 to 9 to ban U.S. torture of military prisoners. But he said he was depressed by reports that the White House might veto the bill because of that amendment, which would ban "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of P.O.W.'s.

"I survived eight years of torture under Saddam," Unfi said. "Virtually every extended family in Iraq has someone who was tortured or killed in a Baathist prison. Yet, already, more than 100 prisoners of war have died in U.S. custody. How is that possible from the greatest democracy in the world? There must be no place for torture in the future Iraq. We are going home now because I don't want our delegation corrupted by all this American right-to-torture talk."

Finally, the delegation member Sahaf al-Sahafi, editor of one of Iraq's new newspapers, said he wanted to go home after watching a televised video conference last Thursday between soldiers in Iraq and President Bush. The soldiers, 10 Americans and an Iraqi, were coached by a Pentagon aide on how to respond to Mr. Bush.

"I had nightmares watching this," Sahafi said. "It was right from the Saddam playbook. I was particularly upset to hear the Iraqi sergeant major, Akeel Shakir Nasser, tell Mr. Bush: 'Thank you very much for everything. I like you.' It was exactly the kind of staged encounter that Saddam used to have with his troops."

Sahafi said he was also floored to see the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan agency that works for Congress, declare that a Bush administration contract that paid Armstrong Williams, a supposedly independent commentator, to promote Mr. Bush's No Child Left Behind policy constituted illegal propaganda - an attempt by the government to buy good press.

"Saddam bought and paid journalists all over the Arab world," Sahafi said "It makes me sick to see even a drop of that in America."

By coincidence, the Iraqi delegates departed Washington just as the Bush aide Karen Hughes returned from the Middle East. Her trip was aimed at improving America's image among Muslims by giving them a more accurate view of America and President Bush. She said, "The more they know about us, the more they will like us."

The Honest Food Guide

Hey Everyone, here is something that I've posted on my other website, but not here yet. I really wanted to let you know of this so you can print it and save it for yourself. Its called the HONEST food guide. Please note that this food guide is actually based on real foods that will actually benefit you, and not big industry specifically.

It is high quality, so please print yourself a copy by clicking here!

Nobel Prize Winner in Idaho - Helping Dogs with Low Self Esteem Everywhere

It has been a few days since I've been able to post anything, but when I read this article, I knew I needed to share it with the world. There are few times in history when people make such a large contribution that it simply cannot be ignored by the public. Please take this time to read about one of society's and especially Idaho's greatest inventors:

Click here to read the article

Why Help Never Arrived

I had to share this. It explains so much!

Quote of the Day

“Widening roads to overcome congestion is like loosening our belt to solve obesity.” John Norquist, former mayor of the U.S.city of Milwaukee and president of the Congress for New Urbanism. (Green Future, May/June 2005)

Click Here to read more quotes of the day, and other good stuff I like to keep track of.

Coming Home

Well here I am. The tour in Iraq is finally over. Finished the last mission. The next and last time I go out the wire will be on a airplane. Then on to Kuwait for a couple days, then to Baltimore. RON in Baltimore, with lots and lots of booze. Strippers!!! Or probably only two or three beers before I'm wasted. After Baltimore on to Boise. Finally home. Its been a long journey, one that started in the chilly winter month of Febuary and is ending in the chilly(at least in the states, its still hot as hell over here) month of October. From Camp Bullis, Texas to Tikrit, Iraq. Finally over. No more getting having to carry a weapon and ammo every where you go. No more wearing this damn helmet. No more tan, khaki and brown. No more sand. No more constantly being on edge. No more getting shot at. No more scanning for IEDs, no more getting blown up!!! No more Chow Hall!!! YEEEAAAH. As far as I'm concerned Iraq can kiss my ass. For a area that was supposed to be the birthplace of civilization these people sure are backwards. Where the United States was standards of living, sanitation, economically, cultural ect. back in the 1800s this place is today. It truely is Just Another Third World Arabian Shit Hole. It will be a little wierd coming home. Especially for the first couple days. Driving is going to be crazy. Be driving down the middle of the road, trying to run vehicles off the road, cussing at pedestrians, blaring the horn at everything, freaking out when someone puts on a turn signal. Yelling at the passenger to "Call that stuff on the side of the road in!!" "Hey get that guy". Scanning for IEDs or looking at bystanders suspiciously. Call the cops over some "suspicious looking roadkill". Might be a little intense for a while, a little wild eyed. I'll calm down after a while though. Just need some fresh mountain air and to see my friends and family again and I'll be as right as rain. A couple good brews wouldn't hurt either. I look forward to seeing every one in a couple days.
Ben



OUT

I am ALIVE

I am alive. I am the bringer of light against the darkness of evil. I am the sword wielder. I am the eyes of the eagle that sees the evil that is hidden from us. I am the master and at the same time the student. I am the healer, but not the injured. I am the navigator who takes the right path. I stay cool where others grow heated. I see through all the bullshit to see that it really is all bullshit, even calling it bullshit is bullshit. Most importantly I am alive.

New Orleans: What you didn’t see...

The images we often see, The images we rarely see, and The difference.

Much of the United States and the world has been focused on the tragedy and sorrow of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast as of late. The unimaginable damage and destruction is overwhelming. It goes to show that nothing is forever, and no matter how much you protect yourself and your nation, no matter how many steps you take to combat terror, there is always the chance for loss and death. Nature can be just as destructive as anything in this world. However, Nature is something we can't avoid or predict. Anger and violence is. It is unfortunate that so much attention is being put towards the unfortunate, and non-avoidable event in the Gulf Coast, and there isn't as much fuss over the man made, and completely avoidable DISASTER caused by the very nation struck by hurricane Katrina. Click on the link below to read a wonderful article by Jurrian Kamp of Ode Magazine on this topic.

Click Here for the Entire article

Am I just whining?

What is it about life that just seems to not be right? Every day we wake up (against our desire), go to work (usually against our desire), and work for a “living”. At the end of a usually long day, we get in our cars, drive home, and try to integrate back in to normal life. After about 4 hours of this normality, its time to go to sleep, wake up (against our desire), and do it all over again. All the while dreading that next day, and never really (and fully) enjoying our time off. Fifty percent of our waking lives are spent working for the elusive buck, just so we can spend the other 50% spending and using the money we just made, and sleeping. Does anyone else think it should be easier? Does anyone else think life should be a bit more fulfilling than just working the nine to five? Were we put here on earth just to be stressed out and tired all the time?

I for one don’t want to take it any more. I want to find that burning desire that I know is in there. Find the thing that drives me to step outside the boundaries of every day monotony, and break free! There has got to be something that would let me be the person I know I want to be. Maybe a Natural Doctor, maybe a backcountry guide, or a Nature Photographer. Perhaps a journalist for a new age magazine or newspaper. I don’t know! The possibilities are endless. There really are so many things that I’ve wanted to do (and still want to do).

Perhaps I’m just so overwhelmed with the possibilities. Perhaps having so many choices and so many roads to go down is really my main problem. Maybe I’m just so paralyzed in my decision making process that it is impairing me from actually getting off my ass and really going for it! Yes, I think that is it. I just can’t make a decision.

Okay Bryan, as any AA attendee would tell you, “First step is admitting you have a problem. Now, what are you going to do about it?”

I know the problem, but don’t have that extra push to simply detach from outcome and make it happen.

I’m working on it though, and slowly, one step at a time, I think I can break this destructive habit, and really start going for the things that matter most (to me) in life.

The Man Who Could Fly

I for one would not be the type you would find jumping off of a tall building or bridge. I’m more of a land loving, go on a hike or hop on a bike kind of a guy. But, just because I don’t partake of some of the worlds more “iffy” type sports, doesn’t mean others can’t. Miles Daisher proved this statement just last Friday. And, not only did he BASE jump off of the Perrine Bridge once to prove it, he did it a record breaking 50 times in one day! That’s right. Yesterday, in Twin Falls Idaho, Miles Daisher obliterated the standing world BASE jumping record of 22 times in a 24 hour period. Miles more than doubled the record with 50 jumps!

Click Here to read the entire article

Idaho's Centennial Trail

I have all sorts of Idaho Maps, and I've always seen the Centennial Trail sitting there, waiting to be looked at. Although, through all of my backpacking adventures, and trips in to the Idaho Backcountry, not once have I actually hiked the trail itself. Not even a portion (I don't think). Aside from having so many choices, and so little time, I really have no other excuse as to why I haven't given it a try. Maybe, just maybe, I'm waiting for the day that I can do the whole thing from start to finish. Based on what this article says, I may be the first person to do it.

Read the Article Here

Dalai Lama meets Idaho’s religious leaders

The 14th Dalai Lama met with Idaho’s religious leaders Wednesday morning at the Beaver Springs home of his local sponsor, Kiril Sokoloff.

The event drew more than 100 spiritual and religious ministers from around the state representing a spectrum of faiths including Muslim, Hindu, Native American, Christian, Buddhist and others.

The talk was billed as a means of bridging the gaps that divide religious groups and the Dalai Lama gave several views on such remedies.

Click Here to read the entire article

Willie Nelson, The Dali Lama, and Hotsprings!

While this weekend was a blast, no pictures were taken. Not because I didn’t want to take them, no… But both major events we attended had a strict “no camera” policy.

To be honest, I wasn’t even planning on having a big weekend. In fact, last weekend was supposed to be the one weekend that Amie and I stayed home and actually got something done at our house. If you know us, we are always SAYING we need to get stuff done at home, but when something, actually ANYTHING more fun is presented to us, we almost always go with it. So, yet again, our weekend of productiveness and accomplishment was replaced with a weekend of partying, being with friends, and chilling with the Dali Lama.

Yes, you heard it correct. The Dali Lama. Why would the Dali Lama come to Hailey Idaho? Good question. We are a small, somewhat remote area of the United States, and centrally located in probably one of the most republican concentrated states in the country. But, Sun Valley being an Island in a sea of republicans must make it attractive. Kind of like Hawaii or Fiji. Although both of those islands are surrounded by water.

Back to the point, we sat with the Dali Lama (and about 15,000 other people) on Sunday afternoon, September 11th, 2005. His message was that of bringing more compassion to the world. The person who brought him here, is supposedly world renowned for predicting when big shifts in society are going to happen. This same person believes the shift from hatred and fear is happen, and compassion and love is the only logical alternative. I sure hope he is right. If I hear any more negativity and fear, I think my head might explode.

His Holiness’s speech wasn’t exactly what I expected it was going to be. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad or anything like that. I guess I was just expecting some ground moving, consciousness changing address. Instead, he spoke like a normal human. Fancy that! He didn’t have any fancy speech prepared, no lights or gimmicks. Simply a discussion on his views, and an offer of hope and compassion. Nothing more. The way he spoke wasn’t like that of a politician; rehearsed and fake. It was more like sitting down with a wise old man. He simply wanted to share his wisdom, answer a few questions, and nothing more. It was perfect.

Of course the night before the Dali Lama was someone a bit more…. Let’s say… Moving. And not in the spiritual “moving” sense. I mean, he made you move. It was none other than Willie Nelson. He had a great show, and there were a ton of people there. Probably as much as the Dali Lama. However, the spiritual sense I got at the concert was probably more due to the copious amounts of beer as opposed the feeling of interconnectedness among all humans.

That night, all 14 or so of us went up to the Pace family cabin in Frenchman’s Bend, Idaho. A nice evening with friends is always nice. The private hotsprings sitting on the edge of the river put the finishing touch on the night.

Idaho Rocks Email

We have secured a new domain name & email host. If you want a FREE idrocks.com email address, please let me know. Mine is bryan@idrocks.com .

The email is/has:
- Web accessible
- Virus Protection
- Spam Protection (if wanted)
- POP3 Enabled (you can use it with Outlook)

Kind of cool. If you want one, let me know what you want (i.e.: bigdork@idrocks.com) I'll set it up for you and send you instructions on how to access it, etc...

Eastern Idaho

Wow. I thought Island Park was going to be cool. I didn't know it was THAT cool though. We had a great time. I wanted to write some big article on the trip, and give some history on the area, but honestly.... I just haven't had time. Plus, trying to get this stuff posted while at work isn't working. I'm hoping my internet is back up and working at home soon. Our trip covered MANY different cool aspects of Idaho. We went (in order) to Island Park, West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, Hebgen Lake, Earthquake Lake, Upper & Lower Mesa Falls, St. Anthony Sand Dunes, and Craters of the Moon National Park. In 4 days. Below are some pictures we took (as promised).

This is a picture of me at Craters of the Moon. Sexy, I know....

Amie & Della having fun at the largest beach in Idaho. Too bad there isn't any water for miles.

Don't forget. DO NOT FEAD THE BEARS at Yellowstone!!

Amie overlooking Earthquake Lake. This lake was created after an earthquake. Clever name eh??

This one below, you can see that Amie was pretty impressed with Mesa Falls...

Over and out....

Island Park - The Place to be

I've been to Island Park once before, and I definitely was not dissapointed. The last time was a "drive through" on my way to the better known Yellowstone National Park. This weekend is a Hanks family reunion, and I'm looking forward to meeting up with some family, and especially enjoying the beauty of the area. Here is a nice picture of the area I found online. I should have some pictures of my own to post when I get back on Monday. 4 day weekend!! Woohooo!!!

What to write about

Well I've been getting some requests for another "Law in Iraq" story and cannot really decide what to write about. So I've narrowed it down to two different stories. The trip to FOB MON or Forward Operating Base Middle Of Nowhere aka COP Rawah and the story about the donkey from abu dabi aka the Golden Mule. I'll tell them in a linear order so because the Golden Mule happened first I'll tell it now.

"BoBoBoBoBOBOBooom" Spat the .50 "Thats the sound of my gat when it goes brraaat" I mimicked some rapper that my roommate had been spouting off for the past week. The fifty cal was wound up tight and had a great test fire. Rattled off twenty rounds of API and APIT in a matter of 2 to 4 seconds. I was the rear .50 gunner today escorting a convoy of fuel tankers. Normally I don't gun, but Everything got switched around today, I decided I would gun. Nothing new I had done it a handful of times before. The convoy took off and started out fine. For the first few hours everything was going great. It was a beautiful day (for Iraq) and the convoy was going fast. Then. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. A huge explosion erupted about ten meters behind the truck with me facing right at it. The sudden shock wave hit me a knocked me back against the armored wall of the turret. Ping ping ping all sorts of stuff was hitting the turret, pieces of shrapnel and rocks and all sorts of stuff. Ziiinnnngg I heard something fly past my head probably missing me by a foot or so. The fifty cal jerked at a crazy angle upward and the rest of the vehicle was peppered by debris. Upon later inspection a couple large pieces of shrapnel where lodged in the bed of the truck and a couple of pieces blew up 2 vehicles ahead of us. The rear of the cab of my truck had all sorts of pock marks and other crap. All this was irrelevant at the moment though. I immediately started scanning the area looking for the trigger man. He had better be praying to Allah that I didn't see him or I was going to tear him to pieces. Luckily for him he was hiding pretty well. Good for me too, because the barrel of the fifty cal had taken a hit and was all jacked up. Shooting it probably would have caused it to blow up. Any way in the midst of all this we where still driving on. A donkey came in to view standing on the right side of the road not more than fifty meters away from where the IED blew up. It was looking up, with a kind of bewildered expression, like what the fuck just happened. I was amazed it was still there, just not alive but in one piece. As we passed by it the donkey looked around once more and started wandering off the road. By surviving a terrible blast with no injury at all or anything worse for wear, the donkey has earned the title the Golden Mule. I am still amazed that nothing had happened to it, when everything around it had been blown to pieces and even a armored vehicle like mine had taken damage. This little donkey must of been blessed or something because it should have been in a thousand pieces. So don't mess with donkeys because they can a lickin and keep on tickin.

Carbonate Mountain Trail

If living in a beautiful place like Idaho isn’t enough, try taking in the area from above. This is a view of the Wood River Valley from the top of Carbonate Peak in Hailey. Amie and I like to do this hike at least once a week. It is only 3 minutes from our offices, and a great work out. Not to mention the incredible view!

Sawtooths & Little Basin Creek Trail

Wow. I've been on a lot of Mountain Bike rides, but this one is definitely a keeper. The 14.5 Mile Single Track loop is among the best I've ridden so far, and definitely one of the most tiring! Amie, myself, and our friends Terry & Heather (soon to be contributors of IdahoRocks Blog), took part in this adventure this weekend. The first 2.5 miles are a grinder, but after that, expect 10 miles of both smooth rolling downhill, and technical downhill. After that, another 2.5 miles of gradual uphill. We had a blast! Of course, no great bike ride is complete without a dip in the nearby lake (Stanley Lake in this case)!

Sorry, no pictures this time. We took the camera with us, but as usual, the batteries died before we got any good shots. :-( Next time folks!

South Fork of the Boise River

This is a picture of me (Still fat, but losing weight!) from last weekend on the South Fork of the Boise River behind my house. I LOVE it back there. This is on the way down to Baumgartner Swimming hole & HotSprings.

Fairfield Sunset

This is not rare where I live. Every night we get something similar. Too bad there are four houses being built behind me.. :-(

Still Rockin!

I haven't been very good about putting pictures up here. This site is dedicated to the beatuy of Idaho, and since I'm not a poet, I'd better put some darn pictures up to prove it!

The picture to the left is from two days ago. Amie and I go on a hike (almost) every day after work. This is from Quigley Peak, and Hailey, ID is in the background.

Yesterday's Post & My "Other" Blog

In case you wanted to read yesterday's post, and are wondering what happened to it, I decided that this blog (Idaho Rocks) was not the proper place. You can find that post on my other blog, titled: "A Closed Mind is a Wonderful Thing to Lose".

Click Here to Go there

Great Thought for the Day

"If you only believe what you see, then you are limited to what's on the surface. If you only believe what you see, then why do you pay your electric bill?"

- Dr. Wayne Dyer

Boardman Peak Trail

If I woke up every morning and crossed this bridge to start my day, I would be a very happy man. This is a picture of my "back yard". If you don't already know, my backyard is the Sawtooth National Forest, and is one of the coolest places I know.

Respect the Law and Use it

Coming in to FOB Warrior yesterday I saw a sign that said "Respect the Law and Use it", it then repeated it self in Arabic underneath. I saw the sign and thought to myself first off "that would be a real cool sign to steal" you know if it didn't mean getting out of my truck in the middle of Clemson, especially after having pissed off half the town of Kirkuk. How did I piss off half the town of Kirkuk? Well that is the story I am about to tell.
The convoy had been stopped for about an hour for a suspected improvised explosive device. I was the gun truck commander for Gun 4 at the rear of the convoy. Usually Gun 4 is pretty boring relatively few decisions to make and most of the time all you say over the radio is "Copy" or "All vehicles clear check point". Today was another matter though. A large amount of vehicles had gathered about 200 meters behind us on the road. The road was curving around and a lot of tractor trailers where parked to the side hiding the approach of any incoming vehicles towards us. Suddenly a navy blue 4 door Opel sedan came around the parked tractors, flying at us at a extremely high rate of speed. My gunner started yelling and waving his arms at the vehicle. It still didn't stop. 50 meters away. "Crack,....Crack" One warning shot, then another. The vehicle locked them up and slid to a stop. After about a minutes hesitation the vehicle turned around and sped off. About twenty minutes later the same thing happened. The vehicle looked suspiciously like the one that had taken a run at us earlier. It sure seemed liked it was testing us. Normally I won't report warning shots because you have to go through the Spanish Inquisition afterwards, but this time I decided to let the C2 know what was going on. This vehicle was acting very suspicious, much like a VBIED (Vehicle Bourn Improvised Explosive Device to you civilians) . If it did it again this guy was going to get lit up by the .50. Luckily a few minutes later EOD cleared the suspected IED that we had been stopped for and we started rolling out. This is when things started getting exciting. The convoy came up on a traffic circle. Our route of travel required us to enter in the circle at 6 o'clock and leave at 12. Well Gun 2 missed putting up the block as they entered the traffic circle so a large amount of civilian traffic was able to infiltrate to convoy. This screwed up the KBR drivers who didn't really have a idea of where they where going to begin with. So the ninth KBR fuel tanker, (oh yeah by the way the trucks we where escorting where fuel tankers full of aircraft fuel) exited the traffic circle at 3 o'clock a very bad thing to do in the middle of a extremely crowded city in the middle of the day. Gun 3 had managed to set up a block when they got to the circle so after my truck entered the circle they tried to bound up to the front of our part of the separated convoy. Hundreds of hayji vehicle are all around us, 3 is trying to get to the front literally pushing vehicles off the road to get to the front. Gun 4 is still in the back. 5 miles down the road we finally come to a stop. Gun 3 had stopped us on a frickin bridge!!! I'm on the radio cussing at gun 3 to move us. He finally pulls his head out and puts a block on west bound. I hop to the front of our element and start leading us to safety. There was so much traffic in the way. It was literally like parting the Red Sea of vehicles. I felt like frickin Moses or something. We finally got back the traffic circle and took the right turn and caught back up with the rest of the convoy. Every one else in my truck and myself where so wound up that when we finally got back on base 5 minutes later we all almost fell asleep after all the adrenaline drained away. It was pretty intense for a while. So many people glaring at you. People pointing at you, so many vehicles. Our 5 ton truck literally rammed a couple vehicles to get them out of the way, pushed them off the road. Some crazy stuff. Any way the trip back was very quiet and that is the story, mostly.
Ben
out

It's Time to Listen

This is a great article and one that I think puts our whole "world epidemic" in to perspective. If people would really just start listening (and especially respecting) other people, where they come from, and their life experience, this world just might be a better place.

Imagine an America that had been listening to the voices in the Middle East. Not interviews with military consultants on CNN, but traumatized Palestinian children, the Israeli whose family disappeared in a bomb blast, the castigated Afghan widow, the Iraqi father who cannot find or afford medicine for his daughter. What if we had been listening for years, no, let’s say decades?

Click Here for full article: http://www.odemagazine.com/article.php?aID=4141

Get back in your fu@#%*g truck

The subject of my post is a pretty common phrase that I use around here. The damn third country nationals really seem to like to get out of their trucks when we are on a convoy. I have learned a couple phrases in arabic, mostly things that have to do with vehicles. Truck, engine, lights, fuel, air things like that. However nothing that comes close to "Get back in your fucking truck". The TCN trucks break down quite a bit so we are stopping all the time. I try to stay in the truck as much as possible, but my I am the rear gun truck commander so my vehicle has to stay at the rear of the convoy and make sure that the tail of the convoy is covered. So if something happens in my part of the convoy, my truck has to stay there while I go find out what is going on. So I dismount from time to time. Probably the most dangerous thing to do. When your in the truck you have all the armor of the truck, lots of comm and a big crew served weapon to take care of bussiness and are relatively safe. When your out of the truck its just you. While I would laugh at any haji bobby that tried to fuck with me its still a little intense running up to a broken down vehicle all exposed with nothing, but a M-4. The TCNs don't understand much english so you have to usually resort to yelling and pointing to get your point across. You would be surprised just how quickly people hop to work when you are yelling loud enough in the right tone of voice. Every time something has happened to me or something exciting, is a time that I dismounted the truck to find out what a stupid TCN was doing. They also try to take advantage of every stop to get out of their truck and go pee or get something to eat or some kind of other fucking around. We don't have time for that hence the phrase "Get back in your fucking truck!!" They look at you and say something in JATWASH language and scurry back to their truck. Well I don't really know how to end this story so BAM there its done.
Ben

The rest of the crew - City of the Rocks

This is the rest of the crew having a tasty adult beverage. This picture was taken on top of a rock very close to our campsite. One would not want to fall backwards!

Picture of Bryan at City of the Rocks

This is another picture of me standing on the rock formations really close to lookout rock.

Idaho City of the Rocks

We just got back from a AWESOME trip down to City of the Rocks in Southern Idaho. For the most amazing granite rock formations in the western united states, one MUST check this out. We arrived there on a Saturday afternoon. It looked like it was going to rain, but ended up being a fabulous night. After driving around to every camp site in the park, we finally decided on one and set up camp. There were hardly any other people there at the time, so we had the luxury of choosing the best spot. We hiked around all day, and the following day. We almost got lost (easy to do), but ended up finding the trail as the sun was going down. Below is a picture from our adventures there. This is a picture of Terry standing on the (almost) top of Lookout Rock.

The Law in Iraq

I spoke with my cousin Ben (The Law) today. He called me from Iraq. It was VERY nice to hear from him since we don't get to communicate on a regular basis. It sounds like he is doing pretty good over there. He has been on a few missions already, and it is his job to protect army convoys. I'm not sure why the Army can't protect themselves but.... He sounds like he is in pretty good spirits, but that something could happen any day. He almost shot someone yesterday, and that was kind of freaky. Anyways, he would really love a Dentist Scrapping tool for cleaning his gun, and not much else he requested.... If anyone reading this knows Ben and wants his address to send him some stuff, just let me know.

No Internet, No Blog.

Obviously right? Still no internet for Bryan in Fairfield. Word on the (dirt) street is that a new provider is coming to town and I won't have to use the evil LiteLink service that I've been forced to use. I'm praying that the new service comes quickly. I would really love to be able to use my Rhapsody account again.....

You Deserve an Explanation

I promise there is a good reason why this blog has remained stagnant for so long. Not necessarily because I haven't wanted to write, but mostly because I live in a rural part of Idaho and my current internet provider, a company called Lite Link is the worst company on the face of the earth. These people have a monopoly on the internet market in Fairfield. Since they are the only people that provide the service, the believe that they can offer crappy service. And they do. I've been without internet for almost 4 weeks now. And since the service provider employees are located in Twin Falls, I have to pay $80 dollars for them to come fix my internet. I have to pay them to get the service I ALREADY PAY FOR working. It is complete BS!! Anyways, there is good news. The good city of Fairfield, ID, headed by their magnificent Mayor David Hanks are here to help. They are putting the finishing touches on a new T1 line for the city. Once the line is complete, and they have the service up and running. I'm personally going to call up Lite Link and tell them what I feel. I'd tell you what I feel right now, but there might be little kids reading.

SOON! Soon there will be posts and pics again. IdahoRocks blog will be back!

Home Sweet Home

I'm back. I'm here. Wow. Feels Great.

I stand on a small island among a sea of white

Outstretched before me the great arms of mother nature herself

Calling me to her

Her purfume is a two stroke essence, reminding one of epic voyages accross her great expanses

Her voice that of the faintest falling snow

She whispers to me....

Hurry up and get your $*C&ing snowboard on and come ride me you son of a #@!t*h!

Freshie???

"Freshie???" the old Korean lady asked me and my friends. "You want freshie??? Hahhahaha you want freshie!!!!" The old flower lady had overheard a conversation some friends and I where having about fresh snow and how good it was to ski on. She went on to try and sell some flowers to a bunch of guys and then laughed some more and said something about being hungry. The topic of the conversation remained the same though about good powder skiing or 'freshie pow pow'. New snow is the absolute best to ski or snowboard on hands down. There was no freshie in Korea, but here in Idaho we just got dumped on with tons and tons of freshie pow pow. Some nice, fluffy, deep, perfect pow pow. I came up to Fairfield after a blizzard through the back way around Gooding Idaho and saw fields of snow that boggled the mind. That afternoon Heath, Amanda and myself got the snowmobiles running and took off to the backcountry. Heath and Amanda riding and myself getting pulled along behind the sleds water ski style it was great fun. The snow was so soft and deep that the sleds would get stuck if they went off the trail. Heath would drag me up to the top of a hill with the sled going full power and just barely make it up. The skiing down the hill was great, except there was too much snow!!! You had to find a really steep hill or the snow would stop you. It was a great time. The next day Amanda and I went skiing at Soldier Mountain. Tons upon tons of fresh powder lines that you could hit from all directions. Some truely great freshie pow pow. Idaho really does get great snow. If it had only gotten here earlier. Its Freshie now though. And that is why Idaho kicks pututer.

Zen and the Art of Skiing

I started skiing at the age of two. Back then it was cross country skiing with my father and mother. It started out being carried by my dad on a backpack, then evolved to myself skiing. At age seven I downhill skied for the first time out in Utah. I enjoyed cross country skiing, but I loved downhill skiing. Skiing has always been very asthetically pleasing to me. The grace, elegance, speed, seeing how far you can push the limit, pass over it and come back to talk about it all combines to form something like art. When you think about it skiing is almost a art form. You need form, grace, balance and determination to be a good skier. Are these not the same disicplines of a artist? I think so. Next to nothing I have ever experienced comes even close to the exhiliration that I have felt getting fresh tracks cruising along though a wooded glade, with nothing but the moment on your mind. Or blowing down a hill, pulling huge super G turns, turning so hard my legs feel fit to burst and knowing that one little mistake would be my last. Skiing, like running brings me to a almost different plane of existence. I can't honestly say that I have had a "Zen" experience or if I had would know it, but this is probably pretty close. When I am skiing my entire body and skis seem to become one. The skis go where they are supposed to without any conscious effort, everything works together in one seemless functioning order. The skis become just a extension of my body. Some sort of wierd laminated maple macroblock core growth that sprouts from my feet in the winter. That say LINE on them. Right about know you might be asking yourself, "What caused 'The Law' aka me to go off on this whole philosophy kick?" I had a couple really great, no not just great. They where awesome out freaking standing kick ass days of skiing with another great person, that I met skiing. Maybe I'll write about that later. That is my story and I'm sticking to it.