Meanwhile, across the
Korean Penninsula this week...

A Blackhawk en route...

Now at the destroyer...

Landing to refuel...

Korean Army Soldiers parking a large tank on a little train...

A beast of a plane - a C-5 Galaxy...

No need to fear - the Strykers are here!...

And the mighty 2nd Armored Cavalry! wahooo!...

Marines take the beach...errrrr!...

2nd Infantry Division blows some stuff up...

And ME - about to jack this lady for her sandwhich at Quiznos! ha!...

Busy, busy!...


me...at the "exercise"...yippie...

Arrrrrmy Trrraining Sirrrr!

Some background: The Army is always preparing for events/conflicts that may or may not occur in the future…we call these preparations “exercises”…these “exercises” take place in what we call “the field” which is a place that we “go to” in order to play “war”…Here in Korea we must remain vigilant and prepared to face the mighty forces directly to our north…so without further ado…

I wake up at 6am to be there by 7am for my 12-hour shift which starts at 7:30am…awesome!

Beginning the day/shift by eating breakfast and catching up on a couple news articles after which I reluctantly begin the only mission I have for the day – to ensure that the laptop works and to hook up the external hard drive and ensuring that it works as well…ten minutes later my mission is complete and I’m on break...or whatever…

The computer is “up” and the hard drive is functioning – pheew and it’s barely closing in on 8am…

At some point a major comes up and asks me something I’ve been pondering for two days – “so what exactly are you doing here?” he asks half sarcastically – to which I can merely respond with – whatever my major needs me to do Sir…

The fact of the matter is my lack of a current security clearance has even made that comment a bit of a stretch…

Basically I’m here because I was told to be here…as far as functionality goes though I really don’t exist in this “exercise” they’re attempting to conduct…I can’t go in certain places that they “need” me to go to and can’t see certain things that they “need” me to see…

And for a brief moment myself and this Sir shared the thought and feelings of – then why the hell make you come out here all day…especially on a Saturday…

Alas, it does not matter what common sense suggests – common sense has been overruled – we must all simply “play the game” as it were – and knowing this – the Sir and I grin at one another, nod and continue on about our business…him to his computer and secret squirrel power point slideshows – and me to devouring a book: Rammer Jammer YellowHammer: A Journey into the Heart of Fan Mania…

I guess when the North Koreans get here I’ll just hold up the book as a shield of sorts and let them know – Don’t shoot, I’m a noncombatant!...I really need to figure out how to say that in Hongul…

Here’s the thing – THEY know I’m not doing anything and I KNOW I’m not doin’ nothin’ – I make no qualms about this fact…but the fact remains: they want me here – so here I be! The phrase: an exercise in futility comes to mind…

So today I read, and I read, and I read, and then I took a piss, ate some food and then read some more – I am now on page 188 of my book…hell – at least it’s a good book…gotta look for that silver lining eh!

And so I drag myself back to the crib 12 hours later and get to do it all again tomorrow…word up!

Selah…

For those of you who aren't aware - the Stars and Stripes is the military's main form of a "local" newspaper...one in Germany, I think two out here in the Pacific theater, one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq...ANYWAY...below is what they ran on the bottom half of the front page of today's paper...Looking closely you will see everyone's favorite skinny white dude (me) hard at work (leaned back in the chair) taking in the whoopin' by South Korea...it was a good time though watching the game with my korean homies...we ordered a bunch of pizzas, and pretty much shut the shop down for a couple hours to watch the game...they had a blast and are proud as hell of their guys...here's the trick though - in South Korea all males must serve at least two years in the military after high school...the majority of the baseball players on this team however, have yet to fulfill that obligation...I found out yesterday - while questioning how a team that any single player on the American team could buy and sell ten times over could possibly beat us - that if the South Korean team makes it to the final bracket of the World Baseball Classic they will not have to join the military...and there you have it...

here is the short story that they put together on the inside of today's Korea edition...the photo is of the gigantic TV that we have in the main part of our office for some reason - which is apparently to watch baseball...I can deal with that...

Some thoughts…
HA! A beautiful day – I was awake around 3:30 this morning for absolutely no reason at all, but couldn’t fall back asleep because my mental has been going into overdrive…so many conflicting emotions and thoughts and images of SO many things – from a horrible person who I once gave my heart to – to… - well someone else who I once gave my heart to…to Duke – to University of Texas – to realizing that it’s now officially the start of March Madness…to the stifling amount of work that I have in front of me this week – right before we go to the field for two weeks…

So around 4 or 4:30 I gave up falling back to sleep and watched the end of the ACC Championship where J.J. was shooting lights out and then on the Texas game that P.J Tucker (Texas’ own guard) shitted on…and then off to formation and off to the office around 6:15… (all the while wondering if a certain so-and-so would pop up on the yahoo messenger before I left)

Needless to say – so I’ll say it (what a horrible phrase huh? “Needless to say” yet it’s always followed up with saying IT – I swear I’ve brought this up before) – I was exhausted by 11am with no end in sight…got So much done today though and just did whatever it is that I do and accomplished about four things at once well ahead of when they were expected to be done AND got to catch the end of the USA baseball team cheat the hell outta Japan (at the hands of an umpire and then SURPRISE SURPRISE – Alex Rodriguez…fun all around) and then I got to see the South Korean team handle the Mexicans – oops – the Mexico team…

Oh, by the way, I’m talking about the “World Baseball Classic” that’s happening right now…the Cubans and Dominicans are pissed due to getting throttled at the hands of a well constructed Puerto Rico team (which apparently is VERY serious in the Hispanic world – the only thing worse would be if all three of the aforementioned were massacred by the Mexicans - oops)…

Anyway – now South Korea and the U.S. team are 1-0 in the second round AND in the same bracket…awesome – EVEN BETTER THOUGH – is that they’ll face off tomorrow – or today if you’re in the States – whatever…

I just found it awesome that the “Classic” has done exactly what it set out to do in initiating a World interest and World competitive spirit with regards to Baseball…I know, I know – nobody back in the States really gives a damn yet – that is until the U.S. almost got knocked out in the first round by the Mounties from Canada…it’s weird how the American culture is so attuned to only getting excited over the possibility of a crushing defeat and massive failing as apposed to supporting THEIR team throughout just because it’s THEIR team…weird…

Anyway it kinda struck me – and now I know that the “Classic” is accomplishing it’s mission…I’m sitting in my office watching the Korea/Mexico game when the Korean pitcher throws a wild pitch which allowed the runner to advance to third…so it’s the top of the 9th with a runner on third and the Mexicans down by 1…strike two…and then a smoothly thrown strike three to end the game – the best part for me though was suddenly hearing a rousing YELLLL from out in my hallway where our big screen was showing the game and a nice sized group of folks had gathered…

It was great - American Soldiers next to Korean Soldiers and civilians whoopin’ it up watching a true World Championship of baseball knowing that our respective teams would play each other the following day for the overall number one seed in the tourney…just good fun folks – at that moment I realized how lucky I am to be able to share this perspective on this experience…unique – no doubt…

Some of my Korean Soldiers who’ve never mentioned any sports related anything around me are suddenly enthralled at the chance that THEIR team could beat the U.S. and possibly win the “Classic.” That’s great – regardless of what happens…and, more so, THAT was the idea behind this mid-march “Classic” – to spark interest and a bit of worldwide camaraderie...so – all that being said – me and my Korean homies are looking forward to tomorrow – we’ll all no doubt set aside regular missions to stare at the TV screen rooting for OUR teams…

It just sucks for them that team USA will thrash mercilessly upon the poor unsuspecting Korean team! – but I digress…Ha!

In other news: the first bracket that I worked ended up with West Virginia, Kansas, UCONN, and Boston College in my Final Four with UCONN winning it all over Kansas...Needless to say (HA!) I'll be working on another "official" Finch-bracket...I'll post before the tourney starts so you can all bask in my glory! rock!

POOF!...

now just go away...damn!

Tooting of the horn...

Well peoples...this is the latest of the ROK Steady Magazine presented by the 8th U.S. Army Public Affairs Office - of which I happen to layout and design - and "edit"...anyway, I'm rather pleased with it overall and can't wait to start getting feedback from all of the dedicated readers of the ROK Steady...ha!

And speaking of feedback - what a segue eh! – the results of this year’s Major General Keith L. Ware Journalism Competition were released late Sunday for you folks stateside which meant first thing this morning for me here in Seoul…the competition is an annual event where the best submissions from various major command areas across the Army (ie: Korea, Europe and a number of regions in the States) are sent to the Department of the Army level competition in Alexandria, Va. There a panel of 22 professionals from the commercial media, academia and Department of Defense Public Affairs community review more than 400 entries in print and broadcast categories.

And – though we didn’t win – I am VERY pleased with myself…er-the magazine-whatever…ahem: in the Magazine Category the ROK Steady pulled in 3rd Place overall out of the entire Army…very pleased indeed…

And not to toot my own horn or anything – fuck it TOOOOOOOOT! – but considering that the mandatory submission that we turned in (you have to turn in one from the date that THEY pick and then one issue that you think is your BEST) considering that it was less than stellar – check it here…I would have to say that a large blame for the strong finish would have to be laid squarely on the pages of the Winter Edition which I tirelessly worked on and was barely able to get printed…So YES…I toot my horn with self-satisfaction…I worked hard and put in a lot of extra hours – even while learning new software on the fly – but it feels good to get a bit of recognition from the almighty “professionals” of our career field…

And hell, the way I figure, if I can help squeak out a third place after only being here for a couple months and on one issue alone – I figure we should definitely be in the running for a 1st Place in next year’s competition if I manage to stay out here ‘til I get out of the Army…just keep plugging away and buildin’ that moneymaking’ résumé…ha! Somethin’ like that anyway…

Previously on the list of Keith L. Ware results for me include a 2nd Place overall at Army-level for when I was the editor of The Monitor newspaper while at Fort Bliss; a 2nd Place in Europe while I was the editor of The Sustainer magazine while out in Germany; and last year I was lucky enough to be on a wonderful staff of the 2nd Place newspaper at Army level – the Turret at Fort Knox…word up!

Maybe I can go out on top this time next year with a 1st Place before I get out of this crazy gig…here’s hopin’! BONG!

(for those of you waiting for the Wnter Edition to arrive in your mailbox you should know that for a while we actually ran out of copies and sent six of our last ten - at the time - to the competition...that being said - you should recieve both the Winter Edition AND the Jan-Feb issue at no extra cost!)

831 Words...


Well…I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that I – once again – have nothing to specifically to write about…so you all know what that means! – dribble, gibberish and random thoughts/gripes/issues from the Finch…awesome…

First off, iTunes radio is a wonder full thing…I kick it on either at the crib or at work and I can just rock out…anytime…no question…the killer is that if I haven’t heard the song that’s playing I tend to be entranced…and other than that I’m listening to things that I’ve either heard or most likely own and just haven’t dug out in a long time…good stuff…

Which has, of course, led me to get back on track with putting all of my CDs on to my laptop…I’ve been subconsciously putting this off - and putting it off, but have now been forced to travel back through some of the music that has taken me through my time here on earth – more specifically – my time here in the Army…needless to say – so I’ll say it – memories can be great as well as be a bitch…I attempt to deal with both and just reminisce…mmmmmmm

So here’s some quick recommendations – regardless of what you “listen to”: Bahamadia – fo’ shizzle – the only hip hop female voice that will put you in a trance…then of course the Roots, Talib Kweli, Common, High Tek – duh…and then some other stuff…whatever – you’re gonna listen to whatever you listen to anyway – right…

On another topic…a few posts back I voiced my disappointment, or confusion, by my leadership’s decision to tell me to wait on putting the next magazine together…I was on a nice schedule and then told to hold it for a month…well – last week I was told to “go ahead and get it done – NOW!”...BONG!...so suddenly I have half of a 44-page magazine sitting in my lap that is supposed to be “done” all of a sudden…ROCK!...
So late nights and a Sunday spent in the office later – it’s done…very stressed and very worn down by the sudden crunch and toll taken on my mental state and creative section of my brain – I looked forward to a nice respite…alas – it was not to be…

Today – no shit – today, as I put the finishing touches and last “corrections from the command” on the ROK Steady I was informed (by a phone call from my major who called ME via my Staff Sgt. so that he could be there to make sure I didn’t start burning the building down when she told me) that I was now responsible for my soon-to-be-former commanding general’s 50-page “Scrap Book”…oh and that it needs to be done by the 17th…of March…in 14 days…and we haven’t even started yet…HOORAY FOR…well something – but it ain’t anywhere near me folks…

So, after icing my balls for a while, (the kick in the groin stung for a while) I now get to spend my weekend coming up with a “plan” to fill 50 pages with nonsense to make a scrapbook that looks presentable for a three-star general in the U.S. Army…awesome…

Meanwhile, I had decided that I may as well just extend my time here in Korea to match up with my end of term of military service obligation – June 9th, 2007 – rather than go to Fort freggin’ Bragg and deploy back to Haji-land…I’d rather be stressed out by deadlines and request from folks who think that I do good work as apposed to getting shot at by the Haj for merely trying to ensure their safety and the well-being of their country…but hey – that’s just me…but I digress…

The trick here is that in order for me to extend and stay here (which everyone in my leadership – slash – people who my good work makes look good – thinks I should do) I have to go to the shooting range and qualify on my weapon (which I have honestly seen five times and touched maybe three since I’ve been here)…the trick is that I was going to go sometime this coming week – BUT – the general’s scrapbook supersedes all that stuff so Finch ain’t shootin’ nuthin’ for a while…so though they want me to stay and to continue to do the “quality” work that these folks seem to think that I do – the work that they will continue to give me will actually end up preventing me from staying…awesome – and THAT my friends is how the Army works – in a nutshell…enjoy…

In other news: a good friend of mine’s sister very recently died of cancer…WAY to young…I remember almost getting arrested (in my own neighborhood even and subsequently getting grounded ) with her brother on our way to visit her at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) for her 19th or 20th birthday…she – and her whole family – is good peoples…(for people back in Richmond that happen to read this I’m referring to HappyAnne – Chances’ sister)

Please keep HappyAnne's family in your thoughts and prayers….Please light a candle to represent the Light, which is HappyAnne…