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…

Belated…I’m such an ass – wrapped up in the nothingness that has become the majority of what I do out here, I didn’t even realize that it’s been a year since the passing of the late great Hunter S. Thompson…oddly enough, I’m reading the collection of his columns that he wrote for ESPN.com’s Page2 (check the right column) which is exactly where I ran in to the good Doctor when I got back to my place after work…they had a little picture of Dr. Gonzo and his wife, Anita, had written a short letter about spending the Super Bowl without Hunter…check it: Anita’s Column …it’s weird cause the book they grabbed to read and reminisce about him is what I’m reading now…and the court case she’s talking about is one thing that has constantly intrigued me since reading it in I think “Songs of the Doomed” and now in “Hey Rube” - felony murder folks - look it up - it's very Bush-esque…anyway gotta respect the man (the Doc that is)…and he always stood for SOMETHING and refused to idly stand by… he lived HIS life the way HE wanted…and, as Anita writes, “as he always said, ‘It’s wrong when it stops being fun.’” Well said Doc…

Follow up...

Thank you ALL for your prayers and good thoughts...Angela is doing as good as can be expected and is recuperating out in Kuwait...again - thank you all...

You tell ME...

"Finally, tonight, the Winter Games. Count me among those who don’t like them and won’t watch them ... Because they’re so trying, maybe over the next three weeks we should all try too. Like, try not to be incredulous when someone attempts to link these games to those of the ancient Greeks who never heard of skating or skiing. So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world’s greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the Winter Games look like a GOP convention. ...for God’s sake, let the games begin."

This from Bryant Gumbel…one of the whitest black dudes you’ll surely EVER see. He’s made no efforts with regards to race relations that I’m aware of and suddenly he’s spouting off about how the Winter Olympic Games are racist due to the lack of black athletes…suddenly he’s “taking a stand.” – Good for him...

Meanwhile a guy from the city of Chicago was busy fulfilling his dream…winning Gold in the 1,000 meters…just a regular guy who worked hard, practiced daily, dreamed nightly and merely smiled and gave a quick wave when he accomplished it all…Shani Davis, after no doubt suffering through years of mental torment and “teasing” because of his choice to try and skate faster than anyone else in the world despite his blackness…Hell, he’s supposed to be playing basketball right? Catching a football or something – right Bryant?...don’t be confused here folks – while he no doubt took a lot of crap from young white kids he most certainly heard the loudest criticisms from what should have been some of his loudest supporters - and friends for that matter - young African Americans…

This racial nonsense just boggles me…a respected young black television personality like Gumbel sits on his rather popular sports show on HBO lamenting the lack of black athletes in the Games rather than taking an opportunity to highlight the Gold Medal potential an athlete of said race…Rather than show the difficulties and struggles Davis went through just to stick to his chosen sport, and rather than highlight the fact that Davis was shooting to become the FIRST African American gold-medalist EVER – he chose to try and steal a couple headlines (which he did) and in my opinion try and label everyone participating in or endorsing the Games as a bunch of racists…I just don’t get it…

About a month or so ago I happened to catch Morgan Freeman sitting down with Ed Bradley on an installment of 60 Minutes…two prominent, well respected Black males…I watched as they touched on many topics and was intrigued by how REAL both of these men were…just regular people while they sat and talked…then, just like sports, or acting or the presidency – race came up…I remember being struck by how poignant and straightforwardly the subject was approached…a line that I’ll most likely remember for a long while came from Freeman… “the best way to deal with race, and racism, is just to stop talking about it.” In essence – the more we talk about it, or throw it around like a weapon of sorts – the more we perpetuate the overriding issue at hand…the more we sit here and use it a reasons or excuses for everything, the more and longer this cloud is going to rest over ALL of our heads…

I guess that’s why all this race stuff just makes me frustrated, confused and PISSED off…frustrated that this crap is still going on - confused that people STILL can't just get passed something so trivial - and pissed that it's just accepted as apart of our daily lives...

And even more so when I watch a young successful black athlete reach his goal while another successful black man is on the other side of the world sitting in his posh home with his white wife trying to suddenly act like he is a voice for the “plight” of the black man when he had an opportunity to highlight the skater’s merits and triumphs…

No doubt though, that as soon as the Games are over Gumbel will bring Shani Davis on his program to wax poetically about what a shining light he is for all the hopeful young black athletes who wish to take part in the Winter Olympics one day…

In other news – a 7-foot-tall white-dude from Germany just won the NBA three-point contest…

Angela…
I found out this afternoon that someone very near and dear to my heart will have to undergo surgery Tuesday…Angela, my beautiful former fiancé, is currently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (no she wasn't hit by an IED or anything like that)…after a series of doctor visits it has been determined that she will need to undergo surgery to avoid a worse scenario in the future…while it hurt to hear - and know that I’m stuck so far away and can do nothing – I didn’t know what to say…getting off the phone though I realized that I needed to leave the office and go “home”…I became aware as I was leaving that my soul hurts…

It’s a very deep – almost hidden – kinda pain that you know is there, but it slides upon you when you least expect to grab hold…it was all I could do to walk all the way back to my place without crying uncontrollably…kinda like pain that comes along with a bruise…you know it’s there…and when something hits it, it starts throbbing and hurting like crazy…and you try to remember to try harder not to hit it on anything ‘til it’s completely healed…I’m very worried for her, I know this is very hard for her…and it kills me that I am way out here…I owe her much and can do nothing but sit here…but I’m getting away from the point…

Angela is most likely scared, and most certainly going through some pain that my wounded soul cannot compare to right now...you are though, the strongest person I've ever known and I know you'll get through this…I just wish that I could do something for you…I hurt very much right now for not being able to do SOMETHING to make it better Beautiful…

So, for what it’s worth, I ask that all of you (whoever reads this stuff that I write) say an extra prayer for her today, tomorrow – the week for that matter…pray for a successful surgery and a speedy and painless recovery…pray that she overcomes this as admirably as she has with so many other things that she has been forced to cope with throughout her life…

Thank you…

Words…

Well – it’s been nearly a week, and while I wish I had something compelling to say or talk about – I don't…so here goes yet another post about random topics that slip in to my head...enjoy...

The winter games’ are apparently taking hold with such wonderful participants as Bodie Miller, who would be the poster-boy for his sport – that is if his sport actually warranted a poster…and Michelle Kwan who couldn’t even legitimately qualify for her “sport’s” event…whatever…

Yippie…here’s hoping the Olympics are employing the same tactics as the Super Bowl in order to keep people talkin' – that is – hiring worthless officials who will undoubtedly make insane judgments to infuriate everyone but the victors…that’ll keep it interesting I guess…

As for me…it’s freggin’ cold…I posted a while back something about how cold it was and I went on and on about freezing and life suckage – and yada yada yada…well – it is now officially COLDER…damn…it suddenly snowed Tuesday morning and didn’t stop for quite a while…the fun part is, that after it snows here we all know that the next couple days will undoubtedly bring well-below-freezing temperatures, thus turning all snow in to treacherous ice…the fun part is that this ice is EVERYWHERE…

You will walk to nearly everywhere you go here in Korea…driving is a bit of a “luxury” especially as a Soldier…so you’re guaranteed to walk at least a mile through the course of any given day...this fact – coupled with the fact that I live FAR from my office and have to walk up steep steps and down a big hill (or vice-versa to get back) just to get to work – I busted my ass – yes, I made it nearly all the way to the office and while walking across what appeared to be clear pavement I found a lone patch of unseen black-ice and busted my ass…quality…

You all know that feeling…

It happens and you get up as quick as possible…quickly glance around to see if anyone saw you…and whether they did or they didn’t - you move out quick – nothing to see here folks…

Quality…

Korea in February ladies and gents…don’t bust your ass…

Meanwhile – after putting in some late hours (and three or four days) coming up with an innovative cover for the next magazine – I’m casually told yesterday that it’s probably gonna have to change…that – along with the fact that I’ve set a nice deadline, and schedule for the next edition to keep my writers focused – I’m told it’s probably gonna get pushed back…no decent reason – just, “we may need to do this.” I love it…

So – I stopped caring and left at three Thursday and Friday…piss off…

What else, what else….oh – I’m standing outside of my Lt. Colonel’s office this afternoon after compiling some (what I think) were high-speed questions for the Army Lt. General in charge of personnel (he decides who goes where and who does what)…my Captain walks in and smiles/laughs weirdly at me and points…to wit I say – “what I do?” – and he smartly responds “it’s not what you DID, it’s what you’re gonna DO.” And then proceeds to go in to the Colonel’s office, hand him something and shut the door…CLASSIFIED – I’m told…

Slowly I watch as the leadership in my office learns from each other what is going on – and I keep casually asking – “HA! Hey, what’s up sir – throw me a freggin’ bone!”...nothin’…CLASSIFIED...even my Staff Sergeant who is my direct supervisor (only one rank up) knows now, but “can’t tell me too much”…

Anyway – from what I gather, the department of the Army needs someone of my rank, in my career field, located where I’m at, to go somewhere, at some point in the relativley near future, to do something that is currently a classified…

It’s not like I’m going in to snipe Osama – I’m just a "journalist"…but I’ve done MY share of SHIT already - it's sombody else's turn…the three trips to Kuwait, one to Saudi, and my time in Iraq should count for somethin’ right? Damn…anyway…

Even went and had a beer with my Staff Sgt. and he REALLY can’t tell me…which REALLY freaks me out…there’s nothing I’ve NEVER been able to hear or at least get outta somebody…hell a year before we even left for Iraq I heard about where our unit was “scheduled” to be once things kicked off…and I never had to even go inside the tent…So THIS is kinda freakin’ me out a bit – I have the shitty feeling that I’m headed to Baghdad(or something equally not enjoyable), because I think that if it was anywhere or anything BUT Iraq, my Staff Sgt. would have told me…the thing is – he KNOWS that I’m scared as fuck to go back there…

Whatever it is, it’s apparently not for long from what I gather – but it’s certainly for somethin’ and he know’s what - and for how long - and where - and he apparently knows HE's not goin' – and he's apparently not going to tell my ass…

So – I just text messaged my NCO because I’m now driving myself insane…no response - he usually always responds...and I got nuthin’…stay tuned folks...should be interesting...

One for the Thumb...
(finch's note: i posted a brief thing Saturday with my pick where i not only had the Steelers winning 24-17 - explaining that the four point pre-game spread was nonsense and that earlier in the week i had told my buddy Ian that i would take the Seahawks WITH 17 points...however - that post has been inexplicably deleted by blogger...anyway - i ALSO mentioned in the post that i would be taking Kobe to outscore both teams combined this weekend...he had 35 against the Hornets Saturday evening...well - the Seahawks not only failed to cover the spread they also failed to beat Kobe...please make all checks payable to CASH!...so without further ado)

So the Super Bowl started out here at around 8 in the morning…Me? I started about quarter to 10…oh yeah!…by the way – here in Korea we are given a “training holiday” (day off) for Super Monday as it is…anyway…I woke up to see the score at a paltry 3-0 with Seattle on top…at least I didn’t miss anything…

About this time the Steelers were backed up to a third and 28 or something like that and Ben scrambled away, stood at the line of scrimmage and fired the ball to Hines Ward on the three…a couple plays later Ben “fakes” the hand off and heads for the touchdown – only he looks to have suffered from a sudden occurrence of Caucasian-itis (the inability to jump, brought on by the fact of being a white dude)…there’s NO WAY that that was a touchdown – hell the line judge didn’t call it ‘til after he pulled the ball out and pushed it in to the endzone…whatever – touchdown Steelers…

The Seahawks then demonstrated their inability to manage the clock and run an effective 2-minute drill…halftime score 7-3 Pittsburgh…

I quickly jumped in the shower and then ran down the hill to grab some provisions from the shoppette and some Taco Bell and got back just in time to miss Willie Parker break one for 75 yards to put them up 14-3…and now – a running diary thingy...(all times are from Seoul)

10:38a.m. – 10 minutes after the Parker TD Madden is STILL attempting to explain to us “How he did it…”

10:40 – 3rd and long and the Seahawks give the ball to a back up full back who actually gets the first down…hold on…isn’t Shawn Alexander supposed to be the League MVP? Wouldn’t THIS be a prime situation to use the “best player in the league”…isn’t THIS just another example that Alexander isn’t even the most valuable player on his own team let alone the whole league – just a thought…

10:43 – yet another missed field goal…Seahawks’ kicker Brown apparently went to the Jay Feely school of kicking…awesome…

10:46 – Bus rumbles for 13 yards to just outside the 10…if HE scores you can just chalk up the “W”…the Seahawks already appear to be hanging their heads a bit…isn’t it a little earlier to quit?...it is the freggin’ Super Bowl after all…

Which brings me to this…Does this even FEEL like a Super Bowl? You’ve got Madden and Michaels (how does this happen) jabbering on and on about random things that have nothing to do with anything…and Seattle is playing with all the intensity of a week 5 regular season game…

10:50 – TADA! Happy Valentine’s Day from Ben, who short-arms a pass to Seattle’s Herndon…the receiver was open…oh well – my only question is – how do you not run that interception all the way back for a TD?...no excuse…

10:54 – Doesn’t matter – now we’ve got a ballgame – Stephens in the endzone for 6…

10:57 – Somebody please either take the Liquor or the Pen from Madden…he’s drawin’ a map of something all over the TV and just circled a dude sitttin’ on the bench…jeeze…

Quick question – why are Michaels and Madden standing? – For that matter, why do ANY announcers have to stand? The NFL folks couldn’t spring for two decent chairs for the game – hell, even a stool or something…this has always bothered me…

11:05 – 3rd and 15 – the team with the MVP gives the ball to WHO? Strong again…I confused…

11:08 – Ben just knocked the hell out of a Seahawk linebacker…awesome…then on a similar play to the one that was intercepted earlier on Ben’s short arm throw – he OVER THROWS it…deeeeep breath Ben – you got this man…

11:14 – At the end of the 3rd quarter Kobe is still easily ahead by 11 points with just 15 minutes left to play…easy money…

11:17 – Pitt needed a stop on 3rd and 5 and they leave Bobby Engram wide open…? Suddenly Hasselback looks very much in control of this game…

(cue the jinx)

11:20 – A B.S. holding call against Seattle…dude – they’re already covering the spread – let ‘em play…now a sack – just another case of the refs sucking the momentum from a team…two plays later an interception and then a B.S. 15-yard penalty…when have you NOT been allowed to tackle someone at the feet?...anyone?...answer this please…

11:25 – after seeing a third replay I have to ask – has ANY call this game gone against Pittsburgh? ANY? – you’ve got the Ben “touchdown” in the first half…the phantom holding call just a bit ago…and this below the knee call which just kills you…whatever…

11:28 – TRICKERATION ALERT…these are the things that you can do when half of the players on your team are QBs…just awesome…

11:39 – a little more than six minutes left on the clock and Seattle kicks the ball in to the endzone giving it back to Pitt on their 20…HOW can you just settle and give them the ball back? You’re down by 11…everyone’s fired…and so it was written…HA!

11:44 – 3…2…1…0…0…0…timeout…no delay of game?...yet ANOTHER call for Pitt…this is just boggling me… I guess it’s a bunch of make up for the Indy game…fair enough eh!?

-Madden just pointed out that Charlie Batch was looking through his playchart for a good play to give Ben during the timeout…doubtful John – highly freggin’ doubtful…

11:49 – Ben “fakes” the hand-off and runs for the first down – that looked like the second play that Ben just said “screw the play called, I’m taking this myself”…just good to see…he’s the MVP right now…

11:52 – Now is when the horrible clock management at the end of the 1st half just kills you…instead of working the clock and getting into good field goal range, they screwed themselves and ended up missing a 50-plus yard kick…now they’re down by 11 and that just doesn’t seem very likely at this point…

11:58 – MVP!!...MVP!...MVP?...MVP?????– was Alexander even on the field…?

12:01p.m. – So it’s 3rd and long and so of course you throw short to your tight end who has dropped five passes today – of course NOW he not only catches it short of the first down – he manages to stay in bounds to keep the clock goin’ – good stuff…Seattle has apparently NEVER RAN a 2-Minute drill…simply amazing…the fact that one facet of the game (not being able to execute a hurry-up offense and manage the clock) can just crap on your entire season…

12:03 – Hooray for Bill Cowher – Hooray for Jerome – Hooray for Pittsburgh…good to see…it’s been a long time comin’…Hooray for Ian too...screw you to Tom - you're not really a Steelers fan...

- At this point the MVP of the game either has to be Ben, Randle El or the Seattle offense’s 2-minute drill…

- Shot of the day goes to: Pitt owner Mr. Rooney congratulates Joey Porter who, rather than shake the man’s outstretched hand, attempts to give the 80 something year old what can only be described as bumping fists or “dap” if you will…AND THEY PULL IT OFF!...simply outstanding – in the words of Manny Ramirez – “it’s just destination!”

- The only thing that would have made the presentation better would have been if Cowher (aka Sgt. Slaughter) pulled a Stone Cold Steve Austin and standing on the edge of the podium began screaming for people to start tossing him cans of beer – followed by him catching them, slamming them together and taking them to the dome…THAT – would have been GREAT!...

- Now I have to go make sure that my Soldier – a Seattle native – isn’t laying in a ditch somewhere out here in Seoul…mahalo!...

Battle hardened...

This cartoon apparently ruffled many a feather over the last couple of days...it was sent to me by my sergeant with the note “what do you think of this?”…fair enough…

A “Soldier” with his/her legs and arms completely gone, while a “doctor Rumsfeld” casually (and obliviously, callously, un-caringly) charts the damage up to nothing more than being “battle hardened”…

Funny? – not so much – but poignant – yeah, I’ll give it that…

Attached with the email was the letter “from” an outraged Joint Chiefs of Staff signed by all the services’ respective representatives…they’re all apparently pissed…

“Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon is beyond tasteless,” they wrote. “We believe you owe the men and women and their families who so selflessly serve our country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.”

Outstanding…yet another fine example of MISSING THE POINT…

The cartoon was depicting the helpless VOLUNTEER SOLDIER of today having been maimed by the horrible hazards of our country’s war on terror while the leadership (ie: Doc Rumsfeld) stands by dispassionately…that was the POINT…

Meanwhile – the very leadership that the cartoon was jesting over ignored Doc Rumsfeld and merely saw a ruined Soldier and took offense…

To ME this letter to the Post merely helped reinforce what the cartoon – in essence – was saying…that not only has the leadership not shown that they care – but that they are completely oblivious (or at least refuse to acknowledge) what/how the troops actually feel…

I’m most likely not allowed to say ANY of this, but I was asked by my leadership what my opinion is – so HERE you go…it’s just very frustrating…

In my honest opinion – when a Soldier, Marine, Airman or Navy personnel becomes crippled after proudly serving their country, the leadership (including Doc) are more worried about how they’re going to recruit the next person to replace said cripple rather than what type of life this volunteer combatant will now be forced to live after serving his/her country honorably… but hey –that’s just ME…

SAIPAN...On the other side of the Island was this chill spot where people were taking advantage of yet another beautiful day...

A shot of me and my tan Oakleys...I am rarely without some sort of eyewear when out and about...trying here for the whole artsi-reflection photo-whatever...

This is the sunset after the first day there...as it happens, this was the first really nice sunset that they had, had in quite a while...apparently it had done nothing but rain for a week or two and stopped just the day before I got there...awesome...

This is Day2's evening display...much diffrent than the first, but nontheless beautiful...very, very peaceful times...

This is what is known there as "Bird's Island"...this is also about the time that my current illness was beggining to take a forceful hold on my body... while it is a beautiful place, I swear I don't remember seeing ANY birds...

Caught site of some cows (in the foreground) on the way back to the hotel...luckily my volunteer guide drove a convertible so we were able capture this shot of the cows...just a great shot of cows...and the coastal view isn't bad either HA!

And when it was all said and done - thumbs up indeed...Saipan is the shizzle fo' rizzle...probably the most beautiful place that I've ever been...all the people were great and happy...hell, my freggin' bartender from the hotel ended up taking me all over the island the last day I was there...WHERE would that EVER happen? Just a good, relaxed place...I could definitely see myself disappearing there for a year when I get out of the Army...I highly recommend giving this little island a visit...although, I may be a bit biased seeing as how the Army paid me to go here...I just got the check (direct deposit) from them for the trip...$1200 bucks...awesome...

Cough, cough...cooouuuffffff...

Sorry for the lack of posts or anything people...still sick..coughing right now as I type this...pain...had an alert this morning at aroung 5a.m. which helped - to not make me feel any better - and i've got CQ (24hour duty) this Saturday which no doubt will KILL me...which is very unfortunate...it's like I have to pay back my couple days of trying to smile...as if it wasn't enought that for every moment in Saipan that I felt happy I kept beating myelf up inside because it didn't feel right - feeling happy without HER...every moment of happiness was matched with a moment of (for lack of a better word) pain...it just didn't feel right creating any sort of worth-a-damn-memory without HER by my side...it just didn't seem to mean anything without HER...but I guess I digress...anyway...still sick...thanks Lope...I Love you Angela...stay safe...I'll get to a photo or two when I start to feel better party people...word up!...mahalo!

[Expletive] back...

Yes, I’m back from the island…wow…more to come in the next week or so on all that…but yes – wow…an astonishingly beautiful place…may have to live there for a year or so…like I said though – there will be more to come on that in the coming days… still catching my breathe – both figuratively and now physically too…

As for right NOW…I spent my first day back laid up in the hospital here…yup – the hospital…I feel vaguely reminiscent to the shit-storm that hit me in Iraq, but after two “popped” veins, two IV’s, chest-X-rays and numerous inquisitive looks from the doc I was released with nothing more than the standard Army bullshit…even after recounting my “medical history” of ALWAYS having the same crap and ALWAYS getting worse because the docs never fix the ACTUAL problem until it becomes horrible…but I digress…

I walked outta the hospital looking like an addict with holes up and down my arm, a bottle of “Sore Throat Spray”, Cough Syrup, some throat lozenges and a thing of Acetaminophen…that’s right people – all that to leave an Army hospital with nothing more than the stuff that most people have, or can at least get a hold of, on their own…

The best thing they gave me was a print out explaining what a viral respiratory illness is…I, according to the sheet, have an upper respiratory illness caused by a virus…ALSO, according to my hand-dandy piece of paper, should return “promptly” if any of the following occur: cough with lots of colored mucus, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, severe headache; face, neck or ear pain…

Hold the phone – I ALREADY HAVE ALL THAT…that’s why I was there in the first place…ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…

The thing about this mysterious illness is that I’m positive that I got it from Loper right before I left for my trip to the Island…the bastard showed up to drink a couple brews last weekend and started coughing crap all over the place saying how it was no big deal and that he’d had the cough for so long and this and that…to which I responded by being very (understandably) pissed off that he would bring that shit into my place knowing that I was about to head off to Saipan…dick…anyway…the good part is that it waited to hit full steam until the last day there…the bad part is – well that I’m sick as hell now duh!...thanks Lope…

Can’t wait to get back to Saipan…

Bound for Saipan...

Well peeps...I'm off to the airport in a few minutes to catch the first thing smokin' to the Island of Saipan...forecast is calling for highs in the 80's and lows in the upper 70's...a welcome change from the cold that is Seoul...the beauty of it all is that they're paying me to do this...ha! awesome...well - that's all for now...

Note to self...

Just so it's down and in writing...

The door is open folks...If the Steelers can find a way to get passed the Colts they may very well find their way in to a Super Bowl Championship...they match up VERY well with the Broncos and while I don't think that they will beat the Colts - I have to say that IF...wow that's an IF...if they beat the Colts the Super Bowl can be their's for the taking...Like I said - I don't think they'll beat Indy, BUT if they do I feel confident that Big Ben will be making someone A LOT of money in Vegas come Super Bowl Time...just so it's down, and in the record... blah...!

FRIDAY THE...

Fridays are Wonder-FULL…

Especially when it’s the 13th…this one though I didn’t’ realize until late in the afternoon…when it all started to make sense…

For some reason this morning it was raining…not snowing…hmmmmmm…0530 - sure enough it was raining…PT was “cancelled” for my guys….bong…

An extra two hours of sleep later – I’m on my way to the office…there’s a cab…sweet – gotta ride…basketball is on TV (on my computer screen) – wonderful – pistons spurs and then the Kobe’s vs. the LeBrons…sweet…

But then d-r-a-m-a…

And suddenly I’m volunteering to go on this trip because one of the Soldiers can’t…there’s no possible way they paperwork can be done in time though…

Or is there…

Yes…yes there is…

A four-day weekend this weekend for Martin Luther King and then my first day “back” I’ll be in the middle of the Pacific on a little island called Saipan…

The things I do for my country folks! HA!...awesome…

OK it’s a little more than 24 hours removed from the jubilation, the greatness, the triumph – THE game that will undoubtedly go down as one of – if not THE – greatest championship game EVER…certainly one of the greatest athletic performances by a single human in the history of organized sports…and I’m STILL catching my breath…

It’s moments like these (and the apparent unending corruption that is finally being uncovered in Congress) that makes me wish that the late great Dr. Hunter S. Thompson was still here with us on this earth…selah…

I just finished spending some of the best two bucks I’ve spent in quite a while on the 24 minute video compilation of the Rose Bowl brought to us by the good people at Apple and Itunes…I now HAVE the game…forever and ever…I can now take it anywhere and shit on a USC fan – or any non-Texas fan in the world…I can bring this video to Anywhere in Texas and it will bring INSTANT joy...it is simply a wonderful thing…

The elation that I felt when Vince somehow ran it in with 18 seconds left could only have been made better if I had EVERY SINGLE person that matters in my life here with me to experience it with…I don’t think I could have survived that though (spontaneous combustion and all) and I will continue to be happy with the fact that I was able to see it at all…it’s not often that something labeled “The Greatest EVER” not only involves “your” team, but also ends with “your” team coming out on TOP…I can’t stop smiling…

Here’s an email from a buddy to further demonstrate the magnitude of this:

One for the ages! When I awoke this morning I sat straight up in bed and told myself it was just a dream. I scrambled for the TV in search of the hung-over truth as to what actually happened. It was then that I realized that THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS was indeed the 2005-2006 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. What a feeling - I have waited all of my life for this moment…National Champs, that seems to make the hang over and the pounding in my head seem meaning less. The feeling that I felt last night and how I feel right now will probably be matched in the same mile stones of my life: first born, first kiss, first beer, and my First experience of watching the TEXAS LONGHORNS win the game I have waited for forever. It was everything I had ever hoped for and then some. One of the things in my life that I wanted to see was this! I have a few more things on the to-do list but this was a big one. Now if I can only find that cat that crapped in mouth I am going to kill it.

Now when I shared this email with another buddy of mine he scoffed, basically saying that “it’s not THAT serious” and the whole – “it’s just a game” and this and that…

I can agree with that mindset to a certain extent, but I am obviously biased…there are things in all of our lives that we will look back on and either smile with fondness or attempt to erase in contempt…the happy times, the “I can’t believe that just happened” times, the “I just felt a missing piece connected inside of me” times…(Boston Red Sox Times here people)…those can - in an instant - change an entire person’s being…a pure smile for ANY reason is a beautiful thing on ANYONE, and happiness breeds confidence and confidence breeds success (right? Somethin’ like that)…I’m not saying the homeless will now become millionaires or anything but for at least the next week/month (perhaps longer) or so Longhorns fans are indifferent to anything negative…WE are happy…we feel unstoppable and sure…and that IS a good thing…for Texas anyway…but I digress…
If nothing else, I’m sitting in my room here in Korea all by my lonesome at 12:30 or so in the afternoon watching the Longhorns that I’ve rooted for, for as long as I can remember, play against what EVERYONE was touting as THE BEST team EVER…I’m wearing my beautiful-burnt-orange-Vince-Young jersey and throw on my burnt-orange-Longhorns cap (the same one I wore when they won the Baseball Championship back in April or so), basically curled up in a little ball with my knees in my chest on a chair backed up against the wall staring at my tiny little TV...hoping…doing math and all the various point calculations in my head (if they score, and a two pointer, or if they get a field goal and kick an onsides kick, or…)…

Then with a little more than six minutes left the Trojans are up by 12 and the math is still screaming through my head…a quick pass to Thomas and then a few plays later Vince is somehow in the endzone – I’m at a loss…I’m shaking…I don’t know what to do…I don’t understand why they would be allowed to come THIS close only to fall short…I try not to get excited…USC ball…3:20 to play…and they easily move in to Texas’ part of the field – it’s over…but wait – it’s somehow 4th and one and a half, but WE haven’t stopped White ALL NIGHT – NOT ONCE – as soon as it said fourth down I said to myself “you’ve got to go for it to close the game”…and it’s true that play would have sealed it – you don’t NEED Reggie…White had pounded the crap outta Texas all night…so I curled up tighter into my little ball of me…hoping…

THEY STOPPED HIM – THEY FREGGIN’ STOPPED HIM…breathe, breathe – still gotta score…I can’t believe they stopped him…breathe…face mask – first down…another first down and outta bounds – BREATHE, BREATHE…1st down, nothing’, 2nd down, nothing, 3rd down, nothing, wholly crap this is IT…26 seconds, 4th and 5 from the 8…at this point I have now squeezed myself in to such a tight ball that I can no longer be seen by the human eye…

A few seconds later and I just remember him standing in a crowd looking confused and for the first time EVER, being humbled, and well – whatever other emotion describes what he possibly could have been feeling at that moment – watch the tape folks…he’s bewildered…it’s like as soon as he crossed the goal line this sudden moment of clarity came over him and all at once he realized what had just happened…it was beautiful…meanwhile I’m screaming and jumping around my room like a crazy person who just got there first hit of speed since turning clean…

3 minutes to play and they were D-U-N – done…3 minutes later THEY were National Champions…

I went jacketless today in sub 25 degree temps with my Longhorns’ sweatshirt on and the hat - oh the looks I got… I either got the “freggin' bandwagoner look” - Even got a comment from a Staff Sgt. about "bet you didn’t wear that before yesterday" and then even got a Hook'em Horns sign from a distance followed by a yelp…I got the sense that nearly “everyone” wanted to say SOMETHING…it was grrrrrreat…haters…ahhhhh...

They’re playing the “Eye’s of Texas” on Leno right now…and uh…Oh yeah, by the way, I’ve got this video to show you real quick…HA!

Hook’Em Horns!

Best Game Ever?!...

It's gotta be up there. Simply amazing. Anyway, I said that I would do a running diary, but that not only took a backseat to enjoying the game during about midway through the third quarter - turns out BILL SIMMONS WAS DOING HIS OWN DIARY for the game which includes such gems as:

8:37 -- Keith Jackson on Vince Young: "As an old defensive coach once said, 'He ain't got no handles,' but he led the country in passing this year."
(Um, does anyone on this plane speak jive? What just happened there?)

AND...

9:04 -- Reggie Bush just makes me happy. I think I have a man-crush on him.

AND...

9:48 -- Just thought of something: Where do you think O.J. Simpson is watching this game? Something tells me he doesn't have the Marcus Allen/Ronnie Lott sideline pass. And yes, it's always fun bringing up O.J. Simpson to USC people -- almost as fun as meeting a rich person from Brentwood, playing dumb when they say where they live, then excitedly saying, "Hey, wasn't that where O.J. lived?" One of the underrated perks of living in Southern California. I'm telling you.

AND...

11:07 -- All right, this wasn't just the highlight of the game, it might have been the highlight of my life. Here's an actual transcript of Keith Jackson reading an "Emily's Reasons Why Not" promo (10 minutes after I wished for it):
"Don't miss the season's premiere of 'Emily's Reasons Why Not.' [Mumbling to someone off-camera.] 'Emily's Reasons' ... I don't know. [Back to the promo.] Starring Heather ... Graham. A new comedy about love, laughter and life, premiering at Monday, 9 central, followed by an all-new 'Jake' ... [prolonged pause] ... in Progress,' starring John Stah-mos."
(Note: That was 10 times funnier if you imagine Stamos flipping out in his living room, screaming, "It's STAY-mos, you old fart! STAY-mos!" before flipping over his 40-inch Sony Wega, breaking a coffee table and finally being consoled by Dave Coulier and his publicist, Lewis Kay.)

AND...

12:21 -- Young runs for the 2-point conversion. I now have him ranked above every NFL QB except for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer. Good golly. We also had this exchange right after the conversion:
-- Jackson: "Only 19 seconds to play ... clock didn't move on that play."-- Fouts: "That's an extra point, it's probably not going to ... "

AND...

So what did we learn? Three things ...
1. Not only is Vince Young the best player in college football, his Rose Bowl performance following the Heisman Trophy ceremony ranked at least an 8.3 on the Vengeance Scale. It's nice to see an athlete back up his own words, isn't it?
2. If your season potentially rides on one first down, and you have a Heisman Trophy winning running back on your team ... well, you might want to have him on the field. It's a little unorthodox, I know. But it's probably a good idea.
3. Pete Carroll will always be Pete Carroll.

11 hours and counting...

phew...you could cut the tension with - well some sort of cutting utensil…I brought a jersey, a hat, a t-shirt, and even a cooze to the office today to adorn the walls around my work area…fuck ‘em – that’s what I say anyway…one guy had the NERVE to ask “hey, what’s up with all the Texas stuff?” – I then proceeded to pee on his shoes…it’s time folks – that’s all I had to say to anyone that came into the area today…OH YEAH…it’s time…for good or ill - it’s time…the day is upon us…it’s been building for months – nay – a year – since Vince and his homies were last in Pasadena…ahhh fond memories indeed…we shall see though…either way I’m excited…AND – either way you’re getting a running diary a’la’finch, outta this thing…a completely focused, play-by-play, snap-by-snap, great play-by-great play finch version for your reading pleasure…alright – maybe just the last part, but hell it’s free folks…word up…HOOK ‘EM HORNS!

10 minutes later I needed to add this:

After I wrote this I wanted to be sure and add the fact that I am literally HORRIFIED that the 'Horns will show up for the game in thier grotesque black jerseys with orange numbers…these are the SAME horrendous looking things that the basketball ‘horns showed up in to take a big dump on the game against DUKE a month or so ago…I know that the football jersey equivalent exists, but I’m holding out hope that the Longhorns show up in their beautiful WHITE ON WHITE uniforms (that suit them so well by the way)…I will say this – if they show up in black, I’m simply going to go back to bed or work for that matter, because if they pull that nonsense they will surely lose by 30 or more…mark the words of the Finch…that being said – if they respect tradition AND my eyes I stand by my earlier 35-24 prediction…we shall see…

and 20 minutes later I spewed this out:

I’ve read damn near everything currently out there from either the folks at Sports Illustrated o the good people at ESPN about the Rose Bowl matchup…USC is the “best” offense EVER…Watch out for the ‘Horns O’Line ‘cause they’re quick and they hit…Reggie Bush is the second coming…the running backs at Texas are hungry…LenDale White is the “X” factor…the Texas D is too fast (yeah I said that twice – they’re quick!)…but for me, at this point, one thing is the “IT”…

Well two things actually…

Vince Young is the Truth folks…that and Mr. Leinhart is college football’s Tom Brady…

There’s so much practice leading up to this game, so much scheming, so much planning so much preparation for the opposition…the fact remains though, that these two guys CAN’T be prepared for…they either ARE or they AREN’T…and hell, even if they aren’t ON they’re still hard to stop…

Vince tends to try and pull a Mike Vick and try and force a run/scramble…Matt can tend to try and keep looking for the BIG play and end up holding the ball too long and wasting downs…Vince has a habit of not tucking the ball when running into/through traffic and putting it on the ground…while Matt happens to at some times look like a wounded duck lost in a collapsed pocket…

HOWEVER,

Vince has a knack for seeing SOMETHING open deep in the secondary…and Matt has this keen sense to somehow briefly look like Brett Favre on a scramble before toppling to the ground…then again Vince is quick to pull a Houdini and have a group of defenders confused as he saunters in for six…while Matt – well Matt has this tendency to just be a great pocket QB…

Do Not be mistaken though…regardless of all the planning and all the scheming and all the preparation for both of the teams’ OTHER weapons – these two – Vince and Matt - will decide the outcome of this year’s Rose Bowl…whether it be in the Leadership category or the Performance category one of these two collegiate athletes will raise the championship trophy Wednesday night…and their teams’ will no doubt know who to credit for the victory.