Undead Snorefest

So time for a little opinion kiddies. The zombie thing has been played out. Don't get me wrong, I love a good zombie. But it's gotten pretty ridiculous recently. Movies, TV, video games, books, comics, advertisements, radio, slippers, magnets, the list goes on. Much like an apocalyptic story, they're everywhere.

Growing up, my favorite monster quickly became the zombie. For the most part, if you wanted a zombie tale, you were looking for reading material. There were a few zombie movies out there, but not a lot. You had versions like the mummy. Cheesy and barely inspired stories. Then you had George Romero's original trilogy. Those were great movies that made you double check the doors at night. I would watch those with my dad on many occasion. Just about every Halloween, he'd paint his face up zombie style too. I even remember going with him to see Return of the Living Dead 2, while my mom and little brother were across the hall watching Throw Mama From the Train.

Zombies had that appeal because they weren't common. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and various others were a dime a dozen. They even had their own cereals, courtesy of General Mills. Now I know some of you are saying, "What about Frankenstein's monster?" He was just that, a monster that was pieced to together by several dead people, and therefor not a zombie. Even the Monster Squad stayed clear of zombies, with a loosely connected mummy that was essentially nothing more than a wad of toilet paper.

Fast forward a few years. New breeds of zombies were starting to come out, and the first Resident Evil games stepped forward. This combined with the monsters and demons from Doom coming to eat you, zombies had a new platform. Even a good remake of Night of the Living Dead found it's way into theaters. And for about a decade it was good. While there were some absolutely horrible movies made, there weren't a lot. The entertainment biz was taking care to make good zombies. Then came the early 2000's to present. Zombies crawling from the ground, zombies made by viruses, zombies that aren't really zombies, but are merely people infected by viruses, people turned into zombies because they're bit by a mosquito that had previously fed on a zombie. Zombies have joined their undead brethren in becoming a dime a dozen. There are few zombie movies that I enjoy anymore.

The biggest allure that zombies had was that you didn't know what you were going to get because there just were that many of them. Now, you know just about everything you need to just by seeing an ad for the new show. What's worse is when Hollywood takes a great book and then tries to convert it to the big screen. I weep for World War Z, as I do for the many other books that Hollywood has done completely wrong. While most of the world is excited to see what new zombie movie is on the horizon, I'm patiently waiting for Netflix. That way, when I fall asleep my snoring doesn't bother anyone. At least the Walking Dead, hasn't taken a huge fall on its face yet.

Orange is the New Black... or is it?

Time for a brief show review. So after seeing some light advertising on +Netflix and my wife coming home saying we needed to check it out, I gave Orange is the New Black a look. After seeing some great originals on +Netflix I was looking forward to seeing what they had in store for me this time.

Lights, camera, and what is this? It took me a couple attempts to get through the first episode. The first half of it is horrible. It's easily confused with skinamax. There's virtually no story, and lots of sex going on. We're not talking artistic in a Sparticus kind of way either. It's just a raw, in your face, amateur film. I got about 15 minutes in the first time before I had to turn it off. I was disappointed. But wait, I'm not done yet.

So the first part of episode one was garbage. The next day I was thinking to myself, maybe I didn't give it the chance it deserved. So I went back and turned it back on. After a second time, the first part of episode one is garbage. But once you get past that, it does start to get better. So after the first episode I'm thinking maybe. But I just don't know. So I watched the second episode. It continued the trend of slowly getting better. And it had that little something that started to draw you in. Not so much a connection with any character, but the story line itself.

Before I knew it, I had watched all of its episodes. As a whole, the show is just okay. But individually the episodes are good. Each episode focuses on specific people, in specific settings. So they take a life of their own. And while they're nothing spectacular, they have just enough to keep you coming back for more. The last few episodes, however, that's you're meat and potatoes of the show. A lot happens, and it's fast. Those few episodes are what the entire season should have been. While not as intense, or insane as OZ was a decade or so ago, it grabs you. And every so often you catch yourself going, "Holy cow!" There are a few easily predictable scenes. Fortunately these are little things that don't take away from the show.

The actors are good for the most part. They take characters that are just meh, and really make them into something you're interested about. While there are a couple that are pretty stale. For instance, Kate Mulgrew really lets you see her chops, in a persona (and accent) that's light years away from her Star Trek days. In contrast though, Laura Prepon just isn't impressive at all. Every time you start to think she might do something with her character, you're left with nothing. She may very well have left her best work on "That 70's Show," because you certainly don't see it here.

So in all, it's an alright show. If you're a fan of police, crime, and prison dramas, this is really nothing more that a season filler for another show, or an in betweener for those brief periods between season. It will pull you in for a few minutes. But after that, it leaves you with little. Personally, I'd recommend Lilyhammer, or House of Cards before this. Keep em coming +Netflix, I'll keep watching. But this is just my opinion.

What Exercise Should Be

There's one word that so many people hate. Even the hardcore individuals who do it, and preach it everyday. Exercise. It hurts, and isn't something we look forward too. But exercise isn't exercise when it's something you enjoy. At that point, it no longer seems like work.

I, like so many others, HATE running. I can't stress that enough. I've tried to get into it. Even when I was in the USMC I hated it. For a while I even ran twice a day during those years. That actually made me hate it even more. Briefly I enjoyed lifting weights while I attended NMMI. But it wasn't a heavily crowded gym, and I had a good friend to lift with, who was very knowledgeable. It was a rush to see my max increase. But after that, it bored me to death. And I know I'm not alone on this. However, everyone has something they enjoy.

Some love running. Some love weights. Some live for bicycles. The list goes on and on. For me it's swimming. For that matter, it's just about anything that has me completely surrounded by water. SCUBA, snorkeling, so long as I'm in the water, I'm happy. It's the one exercise that isn't exercise to me. It doesn't matter what I'm doing in it, just that I'm there. When I'm in the water, it's a whole different world. Above the water is noisy, people laughing, screaming, having fun, and the chaos of life is nearby. But under it, below crashing waves, and the splashes of divers, it's a silent and peaceful world. Much like riding my motorcycle, it's a place that lets me clear my mind, and just enjoy what nature has provided me.

But it doesn't end there for me. A pool is good, but it's not the best. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the pool too. But I like moving water. A lake, creek, or river a great. But the ocean is ultimately where it's at. Riding the waves, hovering in the water, and feeling the undertow and currents pushing me here and there. And then there's SCUBA. You can go to the same spot often, but no trip is ever the same. Strap an air tank on your back, some fins on your feet, and then you make an escape into the deep blue. The fish in the area vary, every approach on the coral is different, and sometimes you'll find a boat, or some other man made creation to explore. And sound. Sound is totally different under the sea. Crabs, and lobster clicking away, boats cruising by, bells and various things banging and clanging. To those who are land locked, these things don't seem so special. Once you're under water though, you can't tell where it's coming from. Not only that, but how close it is. You're surrounded by muffled, unique sounds, and all the chaos of the world is blocked out.

You can kick, pull, wiggle, and more. But there's nothing like that feeling in the water where you briefly get that point of weightlessness. You're in a space all your own. That's how exercise should be. It's not work. It's just an escape that helps you reset. And at the end of it, when you're all done, you'll realize just how hard you pushed yourself without knowing it. You'll know from the aches and pains. You won't curse it though. You'll welcome it, and go back for more.

Me in the East China Sea

The Man's Bike

So, when you take a look at motorcycle's, for the most part it's a man's hobby. Yes, there are some women in it, but for the most part it's just men. Most of the women that are around, are just a long for the ride. The old saying is, "A man's home is his castle." If that's true then his thrown is either the recliner in the living room, or the toilet in the main bathroom. Then again, I've been in some people's homes where they have a TV mounted in the bathroom too. But that's a different story.

No, for some people, home is truly where you leave it all behind. For me there are two simple pleasures in life that I just can't get enough of. The ocean, and riding. So when I say home is where you leave it all behind, it's because it's something you are able to enjoy and leave all the stress and garbage life tosses at you behind. That's why when it comes to riding my bike, it truly is a therapeutic event. It can be a ride to the store, around town, or just home from work. This is also why you'll often see a lone rider riding down the road in the rain. It's an escape that no beer or drug can replace. 

You see a man's physical bike can vary. Some like sport bikes, others cruisers, yet others move their ape hangers as high as possible, and many get their pipes as loud as they can. Everything from a rice burner to a barcalounger say something unique about the rider. But for those that move beyond the occasional weekend trip, and just love the ride, they've found the Man's Bike.

A man's bike is that two wheeled monster that you get on all by yourself, rev up, and cruise down the road with. You don't even have to have a destination. You clear you mind of all your troubles, and enjoy feeling the air move around you. You lean into turns, giving a little more gas, and feel like Superman weaving in and out of the clouds. A man's bike reminds you that your mortal, but challenges you to push harder anyway. It also reminds you to slow down enough and pay attention, otherwise you'll lose control and pay a hefty price. This is much like life. 

A man's bike has feelings too. (I'll use it here as not everyone considers their bike a she. For some it really is a he.) It's not some weekend warriors toy, that's bright and shinny. They're worn and dirty from constantly being outside and used. And if you don't pay enough attention, sometimes it'll get moody. You'll go out to start up for a ride, and you'll just get a whine. You add the choke, and still, just a whine. It's as if it's saying, "Who do you think you are, and just where have you been?" You'll actually have to give a bit of a push to get it to kick over, as a way of apologizing. And if it's accepted, you'll be riding down the road. If not. Well, you'll be paying a pretty penny for the shop to pamper it for a bit. 

A man's bike, is really an extension of the man that's rides it. You're key to getting out, being reminded what life is, and what you need to do when you shut down and go back inside the house. Some of us need to ride a little more often, less we forget what we have. Some of us need to ride more often, to be reminded of things we've lost. Some of us need to ride, to celebrate what we have and what we've lost. Some of us just need to ride. A man's bike, just another part of a man that's often over looked.

Just one view of my current ride.

High Noon in the Virtual World

Time for some game talk. Video games that is. I took a lil bit of hiatus for a bit, and didn't play very much. But the last few weeks I've been revisiting my Xbox collection. Some COD and Halo with a mix of Gears of War and various other shooters for the most part. And it got me thinking, what's the best shooter?

It's a tough choice really as there have been a plethora over the years. And I'm not talking the scroll and shoot platformers like Commando and Contra. I'm talking 1st person shooter. The first real experience for this, outside of arcades, was with the NES and Sega Master System for those who had the light guns. Most everyone of the NES generation, myself included, remember Duck Hunt with bitter sweet memories. Sweet for all the duck we massacred, and bitter for every time that stupid dog laughed at us. After 30 years, I'm sure most of us would still like to shoot that mutt. I know I would.

For those with computers, Wolfenstein and Doom are what really set off the 1st person shooters. To further the phenomenon, the ports to SNES and Genesis helped them to reach even more people. For me Doom was really the number one spot, and held that spot for years. Then came a new arcade boom. Real people were used for a number of shooters like Mad Dog McCree and Crime Patrol, where short but engaging. There was nothing like standing in an arcade front of a big screen at high noon, or taking down the drug lords. For me it was a little bit of a thrill when I played Crime Patrol because it was filmed in Albuquerque, the place I now call home. The only way you got to see these gems was if you were fortunate enough to have a 3DO. A system way ahead of its time. Fortunately you got to see some arcade hits like Terminator and Revolution X, on SNES and Genesis but it wasn't the same. You really had to have a few quarters to pump into the old machines to truly get the full experience with them. The Atari Jaguar was another rare gem, of which my favorite game coincidentally was a shooter as well, Aliens Vs Predator.

There were a few others here and there, but really you had to fast forward a little bit to get to the era of shooters. We're really in the middle of it right now. We've seen various incarnations of Doom, and Wolfenstein. But it really started to take off with Halo, and it's just escalated since then. It's one of the series I've been playing as of late. Those who play multiplayer games online can spot a Halo fan virtually immediately, as they're the ones that are always jumping around. Which can be fun, as you hear the hardcore Call of Duty fans complain about it all the time. Yet another series I've been playing. Aliens Vs Predator and Aliens Colonial Marines offer a little something different, but fall just short of the full experience. Gears of War has a decent story as well, but is still missing that little something for me as well. To me it feels like a revised version of Doom with the characters on steroids, and guns inspired by Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi. The new incarnation of Ghostbusters is great, but doesn't offer anything outside of the story line. Sad, because it could be so much more than it is. The latest Duke Nukem offers a blast from the past, but concentrates too much on the mini-games, and feels like it ends too soon. Multiplayer here suffers too.

Let's not forget the lovely world of mobile tech either. You have Metroid Prime Hunters, Unit 13, and a number of other compact shooters for your fix with the portables. But you can't forget your tablets, smartphones, mp3 players, etc. NOVA, and Modern Combat are easily at the top of the list and make for great alternatives to Halo and Call of Duty. But they still suffer from poor controls that still have a long way to come, and limited multiplayer abilities.

So when it comes down to it, what is the best shooter? I think it varies for everyone. For me, it goes back and forth depending on my mood. Sometimes I want to shoot aliens hell bent on wiping out human kind. Other times I might go "camping" on Call of Duty just to upset some kid who's keeps trying to run into the same building. Other times I'll say it's not enough, let get out a sports game. Whatever it is though, it better have a good online multiplayer capability if it wants me to keep coming back. What do you prefer?

Bitter Sweet Goodbye

This actually ties in a bit to a previous blog post I put up about unplugging. So I deactivated my Facebook profile the other day. For the most part I haven't really had an interest in turning it back on this time. There's some urge to go there here and there, but I attribute that to having it for so long. I turned off the ol FB and suddenly there's less drama, and less whining to see.

I'm actually thinking about doing the same with my Twitter account. Other than posting links to my blog, and the occasional news post I find interesting, I don't use it for anything. There's a lot of whining there too. Other than a source to promote my blog, it's really nothing. Most things I read there are MMA related. And any legitimate news on that come across a 100 other media channels as well. So I wouldn't really lose anything.

To say I've lost anything would be a lie too. Since turning off FB I've noticed a significant drop in my blog viewer-ship. And by significant, I can say well over a hundred hits a month are gone. I can easily attribute this to the fact that I share links to each new post there, so many people don't have to actually subscribe to my blog. Instead they see a new post to let them know right there. Plus, I've found that Facebooker's are a lot more likely to share these posts. For Google supposedly being the best place for that sort of thing, I certainly don't see it. For that matter, I don't think anyone has ever come across my blog through Google. Instead it's because they're in one of my circle's (usually, not always), or they belong to a group that I'm in and share my posts with as well. This is definitely an area that I've found Google to fall flat on it's face with. I have seen more traffic from Technorati, and even that isn't much. So by leaving FB off, I'll have to come to grips with the fact that I'll be losing a vast sea in which I can promote myself. But that's one heck of a change, and it'll be much harder to build those numbers back up. It is doable though.

So with this I offer some advise to other bloggers. If you see a blog you like that's by anyone, not just me, share it on your various venues. Keep in mind, many of us have public blogs and want people to read and share it. In my case, if I have something up that you'd like me to revisit, for updates, or just a continuation, don't hesitate to let me know.

I'm done with my little rant now.

Best Sci-Fi franchise

In the geek world, and outside among the average Joe, there's a question that runs rampant. Star Wars or Star Trek? Some people say they don't care for either, but we all know it's just a facade. Probably because they don't want to choose wrong, or they don't want to get caught up in the argument over which is better. My answer? Well, you'll have to keep reading to find out.

Let's start with Star Wars. Here we have a military force, a guerrilla force on the run, and a few people that for lack of better terminology are using wizardry (ie the force). While there's somewhat of a rank structure, it's all shot down by "ambassadors"  known as the jedi. Not only that, but these "ambassadors" command and lead military assaults, and essentially dictate politics under the guise of negotiation. While the Empire shows a little bit more consistency throughout the whole of the series, it's not until the new trilogy that we know for sure that there are non-officer ranks which of course go to the little guys we see killed by the handful, the storm troopers and imperial scouts. Now, I'll take a moment here to address the "princess" because some will take note of her military service here too. A princess by adoption, not blood. And not only that, it's not unheard of for royalty to actually serve in the military. I'll refer you to Prince Harry as one of many. It's got war, a love story, family quarrels (that the Hatfields and McCoys can relate too), teddy bears, and all an all powerful Toxic Avenger looking Oompa-Loompa (aka Yoda). Plus, a lot of inconsistency. The Jedi can levitate, mess with minds, reflect shots with their swords, but a couple of storm troopers can take them prisoner and lock them up with little trouble. But hey, it's a lot of fun to watch. The cartoons on the other hand.... well my kiddo likes them, that's good enough.

Now you have Star Trek. Here you have military forces in conflict, trying to act as good will ambassadors and negotiate politics. With exception of Miles O'Brian (who went back and forth in rank a lot in TNG) you never see the enlisted man. It's always the head officers of the ship taking care of business. That's probably my biggest peeve of the whole series. While there's occasionally a first officer or someone saying the Captain shouldn't go, it's still the Command Staff putting boots to butts. Even the dreaded red shirt was usually an Ensign, or Lieutenant of some sort, and that's if they even mentioned their rank. But Star Trek does try to stay a bit more grounded in science. While there is some mystical elements here and there, they don't normally go too far. And Trek tries to go more in depth with the human elements such as emotions, taboos, beliefs, stresses, etc. It's not so much a struggle of good and evil like Star Wars, but rather overcoming adversity and growing.

So which is better? I'll direct you towards the grossly over looked Babylon 5. Yes, I said it. B5. (Insert evil laugh, and music here) While I like both of the above mentioned, Babylon 5 is a superior product. You have enlisted ranks, and established command structure, common ailments and addictions, failed political moves, coupes, wars, multiple religions and belief structures, grounded roots in science with a little bit of mysticism to allow you to fully escape your current reality and move into it's reality. You never know what's going to happen, or if things will work out. Unlike Star Wars, and Star Trek, you don't always end up with an ultimately happy ending. You say goodbye to major characters, and hello to others. It's a roller coaster that has as many ups as it does downs. And command staff get punished from time to time. They don't always get to lead missions. The enlisted man is an essential element in many cases. They do the work, while the command staff is along for the ride, and making decisions to guide them from the ground just like they do in real life. Sure it never made it to the big screen, but it had 5 great years, a number of TV movies, and who knows what the future will bring. The same can be said for other greats such as the modern incarnation of Battlestar Galactica. The next big thing may just be waiting a few decades to come back, much like the original Star Trek.

What happened?

Whatever happened to rap? Now I'm not a big fan of it, but it's really changed over the years. Think about it. Back in the late 70's, and the 80's is where it became a recognized entity. And it was fun. Sure, it's had controversy about it's messages, but so have other major forms of music. For instance Rapper's Delight. To this day it's become a staple of the beginning of the rap industry. It's one of those songs that you don't know, and don't really have to know the lyrics to enjoy. It's catchy and takes you for a ride.

The delivery methods started to change quickly, as did the beat and sound mix it was put too, however it stayed true to its roots up until the 90's. MC Hammer, and Vanilla Ice were the big hitters that everyone loved at the time. Sure, now they'll claim they didn't, but it's garbage. Especially when it comes to Vanilla Ice. Even DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince where success stories. While many will pan the Fresh Prince today (aka Will Smith) he's stayed loyal to his roots as well, and is just about having a good time.

But then the sun began to set. The new heavy hitters came to play, and they were looking for an outlet to bring attention to where they came from. Ice Cube, 2Pac, Notorious BIG, Snoop Dog, Dr Dre. 2Pac I especially like to point out as a person of interest here, because he was a huge part of the transition. He went from the late part of the early era with Digital Undergound to this new era as a solo artist. While there was some fun and games here, the tone became dark. Instead of talking about good times, they began looking at where they came from. Hard hitting streets filled with drugs, alcohol, and violence. It was different, edgy, and hard hitting. An overnight sensation saw the birth of gangster rap. There were few alternatives to this style without leaving the genre.

Then came what I call the dark days, which we are still in. Ever since these few stepped of to the challenge and made the gamble to fall flat on their face, few have actually had the intestinal fortitude to follow suite. A few players have come and gone from the game like Will Smith, Ice T, LL Cool J, but they don't have much left for the music world, and certainly have enough other things on their plate. ICP, and Eminem have brought their own moves to the game, but overall the boat has run derelict, and is lost at sea.

There's nothing new being offered up. Basically people are just following a set template, and mimicking what's already been done. Really it's at varying success as well as what the money men want to cram down our throats. Some artists, shouldn't even be called artists in my opinion. They offer little more than back up, "yeah" or "yea-uhhh" or some stupid word(s) that don't add, but can certainly takes away from what is out there.  And they're as fake as it gets. The irony being they rap about getting rich from crime, but raise hell about pirated music. It's called karma you fake musician!

While I'm not a fan of modern rap music, it's not to say I've never been a fan or don't have respect for the artists. I have been a fan, and occasionally come across something I like. But these days it's very rare indeed. As a one time musician myself, and growing up in a musicians house, I know how hard it can be. What I do want to see, and what I am saying is that it's time for a new era. Originality, and creativity need to come back. Ludacris has offered a glimpse of some of that, as have few others. Sadly, most are gone before they even really get started in the industry though. Meanwhile we get more garbage building up.

The sheep continue to be herded.

Champion or Belt Holder

Big talk in the world of MMA as of late has been lingering on the bout between Silva and Weidman at UFC 162. For those who are unfamiliar, I'll just do a quick recap. Silva has been the undisputed Middleweight Champion for years now, and is arguably considered by many to be the greatest MMA champ of all time. Weidman is an up and coming fighter with an incredible record as well. Long story short, Weidman turned out Silva's lights in the second round to win the belt.

It was talked about during the bout, that UFC head Dana White said that Silva would have a guaranteed rematch if he lost. Something that's quickly been confirmed as the two are being scheduled to fight later this year at UFC 168. I have an issue with this.

While some will argue that he only lost because of his antics, I feel he should lose more. Taunting is one thing, but Silva not only disrespects his peers, he dishonors the sport of MMA. It wasn't that long ago, that he displayed this same antics. It talked trashed, pranced around the ring, and times even walking behind the ref and acting like they were a human shield. If you don't know the bout I'm referring to it's UFC 112 where Silva faced off with Demian Maia. Dana White was so embarrassed, he left before the fight was even over. It's the only time I can remember where he didn't give the strap to the champ himself. After the fight Silva offered up half-hearted apologies  for his behavior, claiming he wasn't himself. It was a lie then just as much as it is now. The guys just a jerk.

The difference this time, is that he got knocked out and lost the strap. While it should be a chance for him to finally learn some humility, it's more likely he's chalking it up as a fluke. In my opinion he should be fined for this behavior. Other sports do it. There's a point where it's too much, and the UFC needs to recognize this. In addition, since this is a repeated offense, Silva shouldn't get an immediate rematch. Instead, he should be pushed down the line and forced to wait. The man is an embarrassment and needs to learn that not only does the world not revolve around him, but what humility REALLY is. I can understand there being talk about a possible rematch initially. But once the fight was underway, that talk should have been shelved post hast.
Much like Brock Lesnar talking about going home and having sex with his wife post fight, Silva needs to be punished. End of story.

Now, had Silva taken the fight seriously, it would have been a different story. Instead, now Weidman has a questionable title win that could possibly be nothing but a stain on his career. Then again, he could prove to be a true champ. (Which I hope he does) On the same note, had Silva taken it seriously, he very well could still be the champ. As is, it is my opinion that we have a good caliber champ who won the strap in a fashion that only Vince McMahon would be happy with. And we have an ex-champ being spoon fed his matches in the hope that he can capitalize, get ratings, make new, and ultimately earn money, but is not a real champion, but a jerk that's been handed a number of garbage matches, with only a few real matches.

It is my hopes, that Weidman holds the title for at least a few fights to prove he is truly a champion, not just a fluke winner. And I hope that Silva not only loses in his rematch, but is knocked out again and forced into some fights that will truly test his mettle until he can become an actual champion (not just a belt holder) OR retires. There's just too much wrong with this situation that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Man Down: Firefighters End of Watch

Every day first responders know they're putting it all on the line. They know they could very well be lacing up their boots, strapping on their gear, and be saying I love you to their families and friends for the last time. They run into chaos, when everyone else is running out. They witness horrors unleashed by nature, and mankind every single day. And we live with the ghosts of it. Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, the Military we are the line that keep the wolves at bay.

For some it could be their first call. For others the call may never come. And for many, a call will come that unites them as a small group forever. Yet these calls don't just rattle a few. These calls shake entire houses, units, organizations, families to their very core. 

Today I've sat here at work and watched the numbers move up. A call that seems so common to so many this time of year, and is frequently pushed aside for the same reason. A wildland fire. As of this time 19 firefighters have been confirmed as down in Prescott, AZ. As a nation it's shocking. For the community, it's ravaging. And for the houses they belonged to, their families, and friends, it's a nightmare. 

In times such as this, people want to know the why. But there is none for them to know. People want to know if it's really worth it. But it too will remain unanswered to their satisfaction. As someone who one stood the line of first response, I can answer these things. Yes, it is worth it. Even in a thankless world, where you see little good, and a lot of bad, it's worth it. It's worth it because at the end of it all, you're actions have made a difference somewhere. Even if it's only for one person, that is enough. It's enough if because you represent hope, where some have none. You represent respect, where many have lost it. You represent light when people are in their darkest of times. 

We all know we'll die eventually. We hope we'll live forever. But if we have to go, we hope to go peacefully in our sleep, surrounded by loved ones. Tragically that's not always the case. As a nation, most will never know the names of those that have gone down in the line of duty today. Nor will they know the names of others that will make the ultimate sacrifice. But that's okay. Because first responders answer to many names. Names that we all know and call them by. And today's will live on forever in the spirit that is our firefighter, and our heroes. 

Today, 19 of our guardians have died to keep the wolf at bay. 19 people we'll remember when we think of our heroes, and the sacrifices they make to keep everyone else safe. To Prescott, AZ my heart and thoughts are will you and your families. 

Superhero Equals Super Dilemma

You have to love a good super hero. They can do the things that nobody else can, but wishes they could. They stand up for all that's right. They take the best shot adversity has to offer, smile, and say, "Is that all you got?" While this may be a bit late for some, others are probably waiting like me.

Over the years I have become a Batman fan like so many others. Sure there have been some other good heroes. The Phantom, Flash, the Punisher, Darkman, the Rocketeer, the Shadow, Hulk, Ironman, Spiderman, Xmen, I'll even let you have Hancock. However, I'd be lying if I said that the Bat was always my favorite. Sure, I watched old 1968 cartoons that Casey Kasem voiced. Enjoyed the Adam West shows. And loved when Michael Keaton donned the cowl. But my original favorite is and always will be Superman. While we all know how much I love TMNT, Superman has always been in a special place. When I was little I had Superman Pajamas. We're talking the blue, with red ankles, the red and yellow "S" across the chest, and a red cape that attached to the shoulders with velcro. Christopher Reeves would have covered the floor in puke by how much of a mark I was. I'd put on my pajama's, climb on the top of the couch, bed, counters, or whatever else was around and jump off doing my best Superman impression. Sometimes even mimicking the music from the movies to the best of my ability. To this day I still have a red cape that my grandma made me with a "B" on it. (For Burtman of course. Start my entrance music.) My youngest gets a kick out of it.

Over the years however, I've drifted away from the Man of Steel a bit. I contribute this to the lack of any real movies over the years. Sure, there have been some TV shows, but they've always lacked something. Dean Cain was just too sappy. And Tom Welling's portrayal was just a bit too young. Then after several years, Brandon Routh donned the cape, and other than a few hiccups, there was hope that Superman would fly again. But then hope fell flat on its face.

Now, in an age of reboots, Superman is back. I'm excited but have mixed feelings at the same time. Not because an Englishman is playing him this time. After all, we're not talking about Snake Plissken. Superman is an alien, not an American. That seems to be a fact lost on many these days. No, I have mixed feelings because it is a reboot. A reintroduction that's not really needed. A start that can go in any direction. And new twists that can go either way. In days past, this would have been the one movie I would have geeked out, and camped out at the theater for. But my distaste for Hollywood these days, has me on the back burner, and debating when I'll go. To make things worse I've seen rave reviews, and some that absolutely tear it to shreds. So I don't know if I want to pay the gazillion dollars to see it now, wait for the dollar theater, or wait even longer for DVD. Decisions, decisions. Perhaps I'll ask my 7 year old to make up my mind for me. ;-)

Don't Listen to Critics

I've been hearing a number of people talking about going to see movies lately, or in other cases not going to see them because of critics reviews lately. Movie reviews, especially those done by critics, tend to get under my skin. It's for a number of reasons. Of the biggest issues I have with them is the fact that they always spoil some part of the movie. A critique on an advertisement is one thing, but it's rare for them to even mention the adverts. Oddly enough, a movie is getting ready to come out. We all know that critics tend to bash what end up being some of the best shows out there. And then they give praise to those that should have been left on the cutting room floor. But people still rush to them. Even news broadcast will bring up what's been said about a movie.

So you take a look at what the average critic has to say. Sure the lighting may be brought up, overbearing lens flares, over use of neon's, unusual angles. Sometimes even the music is mentioned. But how often to critics actually stop to recognize that it has to do with the scene that the director is trying to create? Rare. But they're happy to bash it. Especially if it's a new technique. But for a big name, they'll sit there in aw. (Keep in mind I'm not reviewing if a movie is good based on these examples) For example, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. They talked about how great the 3D was, and how it would blow you away. With exception of the plant growth during the end credits, this was NOT a movie worth seeing in 3D. Yet for Prometheus, they talked about how horrible it was. While the movie overall didn't benefit much from 3D as a whole, it was certainly better that Alice in Wonderland. The 3D effects of the holo-screens on the ship, and the landing sequence were gorgeous and truly benefited from the treatment. But in general, it was another in a long list of movies where 3D was just a gimmick. To date, I have seen more cartoons that have benefited from 3D than, live action movies.

Then you look at the high praise that they give to all the re-boots that Hollywood has been churning out lately. While some have been legitimately good shows, the praise is not needed. When you're looking at a re-boot, and a critic says that the "originality" of the movie is wonderful, my blood starts to boil. WHAT ORIGINALITY, IT'S A RE-BOOT? There's nothing new here. The premise hasn't changed. There's no new bad guys. And the outcome is still the same. What's worse is when they can spew that, and then start talking about how a re-boot of the same series is going to be something to look forward to. If you need an example, this is exactly what's happened with the Batman franchise. While Nolan was still working on Dark Knight Rises and said it would be the last in his trilogy, this morons were already drooling over what the next incarnation of the Bat will be. Are you guys seriously this dumb, or do you just play that roll on TV?

Then you have movies where the critic obviously has no idea what the source material is. For instance Punisher War Zone was panned as being too dark and violent. Have you never heard of this comic franchise? That's what he does! Then Aliens Vs Predator Requiem was trashed for being too violent, especially because children and babies were killed as part of the story line. So let me get this straight. It was alright to open a flame thrower up on a kid that an alien came out of in Aliens, but showing that humans are nothing to aliens in this venue is different and wrong. You're joking right?

Lets take a look at their views on realism too. You have to love how a movie is so realistic, with fabulous fight scenes. So then you're watching this flick and it's time for the action. John Cena is fighting some bad guy. A body slam here, a flying clothesline there, and for extra measure he then tackles the guy and they go through the wall. Where exactly is the realism again? Have you ever been in a fight, let alone seen one?

The fact that these hacks are actually paid for their opinion sickens me. While some of the opinions they give may be fact, if you pay enough attention to them over time, you'll see they are as fake as "reality" TV. How they can sit there, give praise, and "highly recommend" a movie that the general public quickly shoots down is proof of that.

Bottom line, critics are offering paid opinions that are garbage and aimed to get your interest one way or another. If they're not saying, "Go watch this," then they are saying, "Go watch this because I'm saying not to." So make it easy on yourself. Is it an genre you like? Does the advertisement seem interesting? Is the concept interesting? If the answer to 2 or more of these is yes, then go see it and make your own opinion. You're not a sheep, don't let yourself be herded like one.

Worldwide Warriors: The Party and the Jack

Time for a special edition from yours truly. I say special edition, because this isn't something I was actually going to write about. But enough people have asked me, so here it is. Time for my take on last nights concert! From the get go, I have to admit this isn't my style of music as many of you know. So I'll do my best to remain objective.

Ticket to the show!

So my wife is a fan, and really wanted to go see Pitbull. Being the kind of hubby that I am, I bought tickets. The headliners for this tour of course being Pitbull & Kesha. The people that are touring with them are Justice Crew and Jump Smokers. So before I get into Pitbull & Kesha, let me get the negatives out of the way.

Isleta Amphitheater, Albuquerque, NM on the lawn

The show opened with Justice Crew. For those who don't know, myself being one until last night, Justice Crew is a hip-hop/dance group out of Australia. Holy cow! I cannot explain how far up the ladder of garbage this group is. First off, they didn't come out to a song of their own. They looked like a group of wannabe strippers concentrating more on remembering their choreography, than actually trying to dance. It was horrible. Not only that, but the lack of commitment was sad. They'd poorly perform through a section of a song, then stop for some unpracticed banter that came off like they were reading it from a cue card for the first time. While I'm sure they have some sort of talent somewhere in there, it just wasn't seen at all last night. The dancer on a sheet of cardboard outside the local Walmart is more entertaining than this group of aspiring artists. Keep practicing guys, you need it! To end the pain, they finally performed a single of their own. It sounded like a rip off that was stuck between Nsync and Justin Bieber. Aside from the teenage girls who don't know any better, the audience just didn't care by that point. Everyone was looking for a new drink, or waiting in line for the restroom. For this segment I give it two thumbs down, and a huge yawn. 

Next on the list of, "What were you thinking?" is the filler that came out between Kesha & Pitbull. A couple of DJ's that call themselves Jump Smokers. I'm still trying to figure out how the heck these idiots are classified as a band. They came out and did a club set that was 100% was I hear on the local radio stations at night. Original? A far screaming cry from it. Aside from a couple of record scratches here and there, and one of them wanting to talk about a dance party like they were at a middle school dance, it was literally just a radio set. I mean, I paid good money to see a show. Where's the show? A couple of lights, and laptop next to a turn table while some idiot is blabbing away to put your hands in the air is not a show, let alone a band. This was the set that really showed who the school kids were. I honestly believe this actually took away from the show. We're not talking about giving a break to some up and comers to try to do something like Justice Crew. We're talking about bonafide DJ's. They belong in a local dance hall, not the big stage. If they truly wanted some decent DJ's to act as a filler, I'd have recommended they take a look at EDC, Ultra Music Fest, etc to see who could actually keep the energy pumping and not sound like a radio jockey on the AM band. Not only do I give this segment two thumbs down, but a flaming bag of dog poo!

Now, on to the our headliners!

Kesha

Kesha came out first of course. Lighting was good. Sound was pretty solid. Props were good. Costumes were well done. What took away from it was the fact it was still so bright out. It really toned down the lights, glitter, props, etc. And there were a ton. Her costume revealed a lot of skin, but was still a prop in itself which is a nice change from the typical hooker look that so many go for anymore. You could tell she gained a little weight, which is definitely to her benefit as she looks a lot better with it. I hope she keeps it. What's more is that when she actually opened her mouth, you could tell it was her. You could tell when she was actually singing, opposed to her background vocal tracks. And she did try to get the audience engaged. Some dialog here, some actual engagement there, some story telling to set the stage for the next song. It was there. You could tell she's still working on fully getting the audience involved, but the effort was there. In a nice twist she'd insert something random into some of her songs, such as flat out saying what something was instead of using the metaphor that her lyrics actually used. Sometimes it hit the mark, other times not so much, yet others I think was more to try catching the audience with their guard down and shocking them. You could tell that once she warmed up though, she and her dancers were having some fun. It added some comedy when a couple of her props didn't work quite right, and when a dancer, who was probably blinded by the big mascot style head he was wearing tripped, and took her down with him. She laughed it off and was back into the song quickly, which was great. She even had good fillers while changing her costume. 

Kesha nearing the end of her set

While not her fault, I think where her set fell flat is that the audience had already used up its first wind with the disappointing opener and hadn't quite gotten it's second wind when she took the stage. Also, there were bits where she was playing guitar that just didn't seem right. To explain you had this "recording" perfect jam that seemed more like she was pretending to play over a pre-recorded track. While everyone is used to her being totally auto-tuned as well, the sound mixers had their work cut out for them trying to keep her sounding just right as well. Other than those couple of things, she did well and will get better moving forward. Two thumbs up. 

Pitbull

Now for Pitbull. The audience absolutely had its second wind when he made it to the stage. I was actually very surprised by his live performance, and have to give him big kudos for it. His energy alone actually reminded me of Angus Young's as there was no stopping him while he was out there. He was moving, dancing, jumping, the stage was a playground, and he owned it. He was all over the place. His voice was obviously not a recorded track. When he sang you knew it, just like when he rapped you knew it. And he stayed engaged with the audience. Story telling, knowing where he was, etc. He was in the moment and you could tell in was genuine, which isn't always seen in any genre of music. Lighting was amazing, lasers, strobes, LED's on the stage, props, and more. And in a bright rainbow of colors. His dancers were changing costumes faster than Las Vegas show girls, at a pace that even Bette Midler would have gasped at. Which brings us to an area of concern I had going in. As many of you know, he has few songs that are just him. Most are collaborations with other artists. Artists that are not on the road with him. The recordings of those artists spots were crisp, clear, and amazing. Sometimes he'd even have their parts from the music videos up on the Jumbotron. Other times, he'd have his actual video's playing on the screen, such as his Men In Black 3 track, but he still performed his part live, not giving over to the lip syncing. It was done so well, that you would have actually thought those artists were there. In addition, for the most part he didn't use his videos, but rather had different effects, lighting, and visuals playing instead. Confetti flew all over. And the biggest pop I could give is for his use of actual musicians. It wasn't just the dance beats that comprise so much of his work. Instead, he had a different feel altogether. A guitarist, percussionists, keyboardists, and even a sax were put to use creating a better sound than you'll find on his albums. They even riffed a few riffs paying tribute to the likes of GNR, Ozzy, Survivor, and the Beastie Boys. A pleasant surprise indeed. Two thumbs up, and a standing ovation. 

A blurred shot of Pitbull. My phone just couldn't keep up with the lighting changes and flashes.

With the lights, lasers, glitz and glam, the venue was wrong. Overall it should have been an indoor venue. Even after dark, the lights were just absorbed and lost by our desert. Had it been at an indoor venue, it really would have added that extra something to the experience. But overall the headliners did well and made me feel like I got my money's worth. Good job guys.

Fathers Day: Dad is an Earned Title

Fathers Day. Much like any other holiday here in the U.S. it's treated as a day for BBQ's, drinking, and sporting events. Cards are exchanged, and "I love you" is uttered across the land. It's a day that's generally looked upon as saying, "thanks for being my dad."

Dad. It's a title. A title earned. Anyone can donate a sperm, and claim they are a father. But that doesn't make it so. Dad's are much more than just a piece of DNA. They are the ones that we look up to as the king of the family. Don't believe me? Ask any adopted or foster child who has calls someone dad, who isn't of their blood. A title earned. Ask the child with a step-dad, whose father ignores them, treats them as property, or has completely abandoned them. A title earned.

We change their diaper's when needed, only to get showered in pee. We kiss their knees when they fall. We hug them as they panic at a little blood from their first loose tooth. We teach them how to swim, and play games with them. We look in on our children, even as teenagers to make sure they're sleeping okay. We spend Christmas Eve with our wives, driving around to find a store for their first period. We praise them when they do well in school, and encourage them to do better when they don't do so well. We tell them stories of honor and glory from our time in service.

We teach them about respect,and to say ma'am and sir. We teach them how to shoot. We teach them old ways of doing math. We teach them about where our families come from. We teach them how to care for animals. We teach them about pride, and when it can be foolish.

As a dad, we worry that we haven't done enough. We worry that we haven't prepared them, even when they've shown we have. We worry that they'll make the same mistakes we have. We worry that they'll get hurt. We worry that they'll resent us for being too stern sometimes. We worry that they'll fail, and not want to try again. We worry about them having heartbreak. We worry that they'll forget who they are in this mixed up, crazy world.

We take pride when they learn a new trade. Pride when they take interest in something new. There's pride when they excel, and pride when they are humble. We take pride when they overcome a fear. Pride when they stand up for someone who can't stand up for themselves.

Sometimes things go just as planned. Other times close, but not quite. Then there are times that everything goes wrong, but right at the same time. And there are days when you fall flat.

While this is supposed to be a day we thank our fathers, it's a bitter sweet day for me. To my step-dad Elbert. You came along late in my life, but thank you none the less. You do a lot with little acknowledgement, and are appreciated more than you know. To my dad David, you made your mistakes like anyone else. But under it all you were a good person, and I miss you. Our time together here on earth was cut too short. I love you both.

And thank you to my kids. Without you I wouldn't be a dad, as stressed out, or as whole as I am today. I love you all.

And thank you to my lovely wife, whose sacrificed a lot to bring them into the world, and help me be a better person and dad. I love you.

Two-Wheeled Terrorists

Whose worse, bicyclist or bikers? For some the answer is quick to the tongue. For others, they're already on the defense. But in my area, a city, being a biker has nothing to do with my opinion on the matter.

Today I had to drive my cage to work. For non-bikers, cage means car. Being a biker, I naturally have a keener eye out for fellow bikers. That eye came in handy today. I'm going down the street and a bicyclist rides right out in front of me like it was nothing! They just peddled as fast as they could. And I barely noticed them. So the average cager probably would have had a confirmed hit, possibly even the more tragic outcome of such an incident.

So yes, bicyclist are worse. Now, I'm not going to say that ALL bikers are good. We do have those that give us all a black eye by doing goofy stunts in the middle of traffic, or drive like idiots weaving in and out, not signaling, etc. And there are plenty of cagers that need to go back to Drivers Ed, and learn to look out for everything on the road that's not them. But far more often I see bicyclists taking more liberties than anyone. They run red lights, sometimes not even slowing down for a red light. They cut through traffic instead of going to the intersection to turn. They'll ride on sidewalks, narrowly missing pedestrians. They'll hop on and off of curbs on roads that don't have side parking. Instead of using designated bicycle lanes, they'll pull out in traffic, forcing everyone to slow down for their little stroll. And then you have the one's that will stop for a traffic light, but feel they are entitled to put their hand out, and lean up against your car!

And riding in a small town is a lot different than being in the city. A small town, you usually have no choice but to ride along with traffic because there are no bike lanes. And the pace is a little different, speeds are different. In a small town you're more likely to run into a yield or stop sign, than a traffic signal. And at the same time, it's easier to ride for block after block without any real traffic, if there's any at all. The city, you're not going to come close to the same thing. Bike lanes are their for your safety every bit as much as they are there for the cagers to be aware of you. Traffic signals are not just for the cages going by, but to keep you from getting creamed like a bug on someones windshield. Thing about it. If you're walking, you need to stop and wait for a signal just like the cages around you. So why in the world do bicyclist think they're immune to the same rule?

It's funny because people, especially bicyclists tend to think of us bikers as jerks. But really, I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "keep riding like that, and this crypt keeper will be assigning you a spot on a tray real soon." Be safe out there. And if you know someone on the road out there, remind them to be safe. Keep in mind that you're not just putting yourself at risk when you're on the road, but those around you as well.

New Mexico is a State

Time for some culture. While to some readers, this may be like speaking in Greek, I'll try to give an example of what I'm talking about. When you're in other countries, you can easily offend someone with a label describing who they are nationally. For instance you'll run into some Okinawan's that will take offence to being called Japanese. Sure Okinawa is a part of Japan now, but this hasn't always been the case. You'll come across similar instances in various countries as well. I ran into it some in the Philippines, and I'm sure countries that have been torn apart, ravaged by wars, revolts, and other things have the same issue.

Here in the United States though, we are a bit bigger, geographically than many nations. In addition to that, we started as small communities along the east coast and spread out. States that had their own laws, and ways. Then banded together as a union to fight off oppression and tyranny from those countries people came here to escape. Even after that, our country was pieced together. Each piece being called a state. When you look at our flag, you see a star for each state. All 50 of them.

In general, people take pride in where they are from. Each state offering something unique. From song, to movies we see the distinction of how different life can be from Los Angeles, to Texas, to New York City. Californians, Texans, New Yorkers, etc. The point is that everyone comes from someplace and takes offense when it gets spit on. Some, more so than others. I'm no different.  And it's not just about where you were born, but where you grew up, and where you call home. For instance, I was born in Texas. I've spent time in California, and a few other places. But I've spent a significant portion of my life in New Mexico. To such an extent that I am a New Mexican. If someone asks where I'm from, I respond with, "Silver City, NM." Yes, that place that Billy the Kid lived for a while.

In elementary school, I know a big thing for my generation was having to learn all of the states, where they are, and what their capitals are. Then to take it further, we learned about state flowers, birds, and other stuff that generally bores kids to sleep. But we learned it. Nothings changed since then. At least not here. My kids have all had to learn the states, where they are, and their capitals. But apparently this isn't the case everywhere. I find it annoying and insulting when people hear the words, New Mexico, and follow up with, "Oh, you speak English so well." Or how about, "Do you need a passport to work down there?" On one occasion I was even asked, "How long did it take to get your green card. You sound just like an American." "I didn't know US Route 66 went through Mexico," It doesn't!

That's just the tip of the spear. Then you have customer service. You can call your bank, phone company, cable provider, etc and end up getting told that they can't help you because you're out of the country!

Taken a Bellehaven Elementary School when picking up my boy.

It really is a sign of how ignorant we've become as a nation. That we don't even recognize the names of our states unless we're watching a movie. What kills me even more is that there is so much history here, but we still don't get recognized. Before Arizona became a state, it was part of the New Mexico Territory. Some ambitious battles were fought in the Civil War to claim this area. We were accepted as a state in 1912 as the 47th state, BEFORE Arizona. We are home to the Trinity test site, where the first nuclear device was detonated. We supply a huge portion of the nations green chile. We're home to the International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest hot air balloon festival. Bugs Bunny should have taken a left turn here. And so much more.

I strongly encourage any of you, who don't know, have forgotten, or just didn't pay attention to go back to school and learn some basic geography, and a little history. It's embarrassing that the only time you make the connection that New Mexico is a state, is when you're watching a UFO show talking about the Roswell Incident, or watching an extremely old episode of COPS.

We're not just New Mexicans, we are AMERICANS.

Cowabunga: Turtle Love

The first day of a new month, so lets start it right with a new entry.

Everyone has an inner child. Many just don't hear it, or are afraid to let it out. I'm not either of those type's. I'm the time that likes to let out my inner juvenile delinquent from time to time. And no, this is not one of those times I'll be letting loose with a fart joke. At least, not yet.

So my youngest and I went shopping the other day. We were on a mission to get my oldest boys birthday gift. Easy enough, mission was accomplished. However I've been needing a new wallet for a while though. My old one was not only falling apart, but what counts for "real" leather these days was starting to peel away. It got ugly. Almost to the point of busting out some duck tape. I should have taken a pic. Yes, I've done that in the past too.

So during out little adventure to the mall, (Oy, I hate that place) I decided to kill two birds with one stone. A while back a certain store had a wallet that caught my eye. And my inner juvenile delinquent has been telling me to get it ever since. And why not? We're only talking about one of my all time favorites here. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Granted, it's the cartoonish version from the 90's, but none the less it's the about the best you'll find these days.

I have to take the chain off for work, but it gets put right back on when I'm off work.

Cowabunga dude. It takes me all the way back to the early days. We're talking Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The blood, the gore, the insanely stupid puns. And don't forget, originally in black and white, and before they had individual coloring. I've been a fan, that long. Out in my garage, I still have my original poster from the first movie, sitting in a frame.

I'd wear this, just for the looks.

It still saddens me that they've been toned down. But I understand they're looking for the kids, not the adults, to market too. But then again, in my younger years I was such a big fan that even their Coming Out of Their Shells Tour was on my list. I'm not sure if I still have the VHS, but I know I still have the cassette in my tape collection. I can actually hear Pizza Power running in my head as I write this.

Most have forgotten, or just didn't know about this venture.

Then as an adult, it's good to let out your inner child sometimes. Especially when it means quality time with the family. My inner child took my family to see the last TMNT movie, and will still sit down and watch the cartoons with my kids. While it's not the same, it's not totally messed up either. They've done a decent job of keeping to the roots, but making some adjustments to keep the attention of the new generation of fans.

This isn't my actual poster, but it is the one I have.

Now we have a new movie on the horizon. At first it was claimed that the turtles would be aliens, but Michael Bay has come out at least twice that I'm aware of and said that it's not true, and the ooze would still be the cause of their current state. Personally I think Bay is the last person that should be involved in such an endeavor, but that's just my opinion. The fact that he's cast Megan Fox as April is a huge mistake, but I know he has his crush on her. So sad. Bay you better not destroy the turtles. If you smell what the Burtman is cooking. (Yes, that was a Rock inspired fart joke.)

Meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day. It's an annual holiday which honors those whose paid the ultimate price for our country, and the many freedoms we have. Originally it was to honor the deceased troops of the Civil War, but quickly spread to honor all of the fallen. Unlike Veterans Day, it is only to honor the dead. Something that many people have forgotten, or take for granted and instead look towards family gatherings, an extra day off of work, and BBQ's. But many others still recognize it as well. And it truly holds a different meaning for the average civilian when compared to service members, and their families.

As of this morning, many people started enjoying parades, stalking up for various festivities, cleaning up the boat, and then some. For many of these people, Memorial Day doesn't hold much meaning. It's not a shot at them, but they just don't know anything else because they've never been directly impacted by this day of remembrance. They might know on an academic level what it represents, but beyond that there is nothing. 

Then you have those who have been touched in some way. Perhaps it's by a friend lost, or hurt in service. Possibly a veteran they met while volunteering at a retirement home, or helped at a shelter. Whatever the circumstance, they know that this is a day that represents a bigger picture than they realize. They go out to homes, and churches to help those veterans to pay their respects to fallen comrades. They go out to graveyards, clean them up, place flags, and possibly help others find the markers of the fallen warriors they're looking for. And yet others even go beyond that and do what they can to ensure that none of the graves are disturbed or vandalized.

You have the families of our warriors. They spend countless hours wondering if their fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, uncles, cousins, husbands, and wives are alright. They worry about them even when out training. They worry when they are out at their daily jobs. Then they worry when they are deployed. Seeing and hearing the news of an accident, ambush, or attack and wondering if their loved one will be next, while seeing their neighbor get the news that someone will not be coming home to them ever again. To the Memorial Day represents their lost loved ones, lost friends, and their loved ones family away from home.

Ultimately you have service members. The men and women who raised their hand, swore an oath, and signed a blank check up to and including their very life. Memorial Day has a special meaning. We remember those who came before us. We remember those we called brother and sister, who have been called for duty by our Commander-in-Chief in the sky. For some it's a hard day, because to a point we feel that we are having it crammed down our throats that we've lost a part of our family. For others it's a good reminder that we have life to live for them and to make it count. We reflect on our fights, as much as we do our accomplishments. While some of us will let our eyeballs sweat, others will drown their sorrow in something else. But ultimately, we remember. We remember because for us Memorial Day isn't a holiday. It isn't a news report. It isn't a parade, or a BBQ. It's a face, a voice, a friend, a family member, a part of ourselves.

To those who have fallen, thank you. You are not forgotten. Semper Fidelis.

Adventures in Life

A lot of things change as we get older. When we're kids, we didn't necessarily have a lot of choice in how we spent our nights. But staying at a friends or relatives was usually great. Camping even better. But it was whatever was alright with the folks. Then we finally got that freedom to do as we pleased. Oh man, it's like dropping a tone of raw meat in a shark tank.

I think back to some nights before I enlisted and some of my early years in the military, and I shudder to think of some of the stuff I would do. A great night out was loading up some of the guys, and going down to Mexico for a night of booze, loud Mexican music, soggy chips, salsa, and then making the trek to Denny's after drunkenly testing the fates and coming back home. Yeah, I'm glad the folks didn't learn of that until years later.

A night out in Ishikawa, Okinawa, Japan.

Then came my service years. The first part of it, you could easily find me at an E-Club, or a local hole with some booze, loud music, or even some karaoke. This was usually topped off with the Okinawa offerings of yakisoba, taco rice and cheese, or one of the biggest corn dog's you ever imagined. There was usually more drinking to be done after returning to the barracks as well.

Gate 1 outside of Cp Hansen in Okinawa. Nothing but restaurants and bars.

The next phase I'm not sure how it came about. Either as my time as an MP dealing with drunks, dealing with drunks in the barracks, or just generally being tired of boozing it up. But for me at that time a good night, or weekend for that matter was SCUBA diving, sight seeing, or even just hanging out at the beach. I'd go out to the various restaurants, different beaches to lounge or dive, the various sites from the aquarium to waterfalls. It didn't matter where or what, just that it was there to be done and not in the confines of a bar, or barracks.

Playing with Nemo and his cousin in the East China Sea.

Posing with the A&W Great Root Bear in Nago, Okinawa, Japan.

Then I came back to the States, a little older, and a little wiser hopefully. And again things changed. Bars still do nothing for me. Clubs are a joke in general. There for a while a nice night out became a meal, and a movie. But even that changed quickly. There for a while I knew I wanted to do something, but I didn't know what. Going to the zoo is still a treat. A few years ago my youngest and I were treated to watching a giraffe being born.

A giraffe being born at the Albuquerque Bio Park around 2009. You can see the hooves under the mothers tale.

Sometimes going out is still the answer. Some place that isn't too rowdy, a restaurant here and there. The zoo a rare treat. But outside of taking a road trip someplace, or camping, there's one thing that I can do pretty much every night that makes me happy. Sit out on the porch with my wife, a cigar, a drink, maybe some music, and just stare off into the sky. Who'd have ever thought that a good night would become a night at home? Guess it's true. You can take the boy out the country (sometimes literally), but you can't take the country out of the boy.

You can see my bench  a little on the far left.

It's funny how things change.