I'm on day seven of not smoking....and hating the hell out of it. I'm ready to choke my wife, my children, my dog, the neighbors, my van (not sure how to choke a van, but I can probably figure it out), and just about anyone that strays into my view.
This situation reminds me of a story...from when I was a Drill Instructor at Parris Island....
Once upon a time, I was a new DI working for a Senior Drill Instructor (SDI) that had a bit of a speech impediment. He was unable to pronounce the "B" sound..."b"s came out as "v"s. Hence the word "vicious."
My boss would often come out of the "DI Hut," and say something along the lines of "I don't know why recruits is vein' vicious..." and then go away. The recruits would get all jazzed, talking about how "the Senior said we're vicious...we ROCK dude!" I, of course would torture them...I mean train them...for speaking in such a familiar way about the SDI.
It wasn't until very late in the training cycle that I finally clued them in that "vicious" was "bitches."
Buncha vicious....hehehehehe
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Nectar of the Gods
Huevos Con Chorizo is one of my favorite dishes....I first tried it as a punk teenager when I went camping with some other punk teenagers. I've been hooked ever since.
If you've never tried it, you're truly missing out on a wonderful culinary experience. Go buy some chorizo, fry it up (after pulling it out of the crap that it's packaged in), and mix in some eggs.
Chorizo is like gravy; you can't go wrong with it.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Lockdown Lifted...Sort of
The "lockdown" here in Okinawa (see previous post) has been reduced. Civilians and dependents (family of military members) now have absolutely no restrictions, and can go out in town as they please.
Military personnel can now enjoy off-base liberty until 2200 each night. A curfew is in effect from 2200-0500 each night. In addition, military personnel are not allowed to consume alcohol at off base establishments (with the exception of those residing in off base quarters).
This is a huge improvement, but still a bit restrictive, since many of us enjoy having a cold one at many of the local restaurants and Karaoke bars.
I'll take what I can get though.
Military personnel can now enjoy off-base liberty until 2200 each night. A curfew is in effect from 2200-0500 each night. In addition, military personnel are not allowed to consume alcohol at off base establishments (with the exception of those residing in off base quarters).
This is a huge improvement, but still a bit restrictive, since many of us enjoy having a cold one at many of the local restaurants and Karaoke bars.
I'll take what I can get though.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
"Lockdown" Continues in Okinawa
The U.S. Marine that was accused of raping a 14 year old Okinawan girl has been released uncharged.
In my book, he's still a creep, since he admitted to holding her down and forcibly kissing her. No word on what else might have taken place, or whether or not either of them has a history of this type of behavior.
In the meantime, U.S. forces in Okinawa are still restricted to base (including family members). This "period of reflection," as it is being called, will be reevaluated by the Commanding General on Monday. No word about the likelihood of the restrictions being lifted.
If I were a betting man, I would guess that the overall restriction will be lifted, but that a curfew of some sort will remain in place.
There is a huge outcry among those that would blame the Marine Corps for this whole mess, while they ignore the fact that other branches have had serious incidents here as well. One look at the USAF DUI rate here would be enough...
As far as the local populace, the average Okinawans don't seem all that excited about any of this. Many business owners are in a huff over the loss of business that the restrictions are causing, but that's about it. A minority of anti-Americans here are almost pissing themselves with glee over the current situation, but that's to be expected. The usual crowds are still gathering, with the same poorly written signs, outside the gates of a few bases.
The Japanese media is spinning this the way one would expect the media to spin it: "All of the woes in Japan are the fault of America." I guess they can't be bothered to report that teenage girls are much more likely to be assaulted by an Okinawan than by an American.
I still think that Okinawa is a great place with a very low crime rate. It's a shame that a few bad apples (from both Okinawa and America) are doing their best to spoil it for the rest of us.
As far as being restricted to base, it's an inconvenience, nothing more. I miss my favorite restaurants in town, but I can wait...
In my book, he's still a creep, since he admitted to holding her down and forcibly kissing her. No word on what else might have taken place, or whether or not either of them has a history of this type of behavior.
In the meantime, U.S. forces in Okinawa are still restricted to base (including family members). This "period of reflection," as it is being called, will be reevaluated by the Commanding General on Monday. No word about the likelihood of the restrictions being lifted.
If I were a betting man, I would guess that the overall restriction will be lifted, but that a curfew of some sort will remain in place.
There is a huge outcry among those that would blame the Marine Corps for this whole mess, while they ignore the fact that other branches have had serious incidents here as well. One look at the USAF DUI rate here would be enough...
As far as the local populace, the average Okinawans don't seem all that excited about any of this. Many business owners are in a huff over the loss of business that the restrictions are causing, but that's about it. A minority of anti-Americans here are almost pissing themselves with glee over the current situation, but that's to be expected. The usual crowds are still gathering, with the same poorly written signs, outside the gates of a few bases.
The Japanese media is spinning this the way one would expect the media to spin it: "All of the woes in Japan are the fault of America." I guess they can't be bothered to report that teenage girls are much more likely to be assaulted by an Okinawan than by an American.
I still think that Okinawa is a great place with a very low crime rate. It's a shame that a few bad apples (from both Okinawa and America) are doing their best to spoil it for the rest of us.
As far as being restricted to base, it's an inconvenience, nothing more. I miss my favorite restaurants in town, but I can wait...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Another Good Marine Video
This one's pretty good. Some parts of it get me a bit choked up.
(Since it's Youtube, you may have to click on it, and then click pause while you go get a cup of coffee or something).
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Home
Well, my whirlwind trip to the states is over. I'm safely back home in Okinawa. The old adage is true: Home is where the Corps sends you. Having my wife and children with me in Okinawa does indeed make it home, and I missed it (even having been gone for a couple of days).
The weather in Virginia was miserable, compared to the lush paradise of Okinawa. Granted, it only got down into the 20s, but that's much colder than I'm accustomed to. Throw in some snow, freezing rain, and idiot drivers, and I just wasn't pleased with it.
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