Bonding Agent

Backpacking for a weekend has never let me down. Especially when everything goes according to plan, and you and your brother get to experience a solitude weekend of bonding in the wilderness. This trip to the Red River Gorge was more meaningful and special than previous hikes I have been on in the past. Not because the Gorge is more exciting than Dolly Sods and other various wilderness areas in West Virginia. We certainly didn't have gourmet food to munch on this weekend. This trip was really awesome because it was Joe's first time backpacking and it also gave us a chance for a true brotherly bond.

Work by day consisted of exploring, gathering trees, chopping wood, skipping stones, fishing, playing in the creek (some may say "crick", but not me,) and taking a dump. There is nothing like pooping in the woods. A small afternoon nap was kind of nice too. Play by night was enjoyable under the direct supervision Jack. He is a tough guy!!! Burning the tree's, branches, and logs we gathered was a blast. At one point, the flames from the fire were as tall as me and wide as my wingspan. What a blast! Topics of conversation that came up frequently where Iraq, family, work, the awesome fire we built, and sports.

I can't wait to get out there again.

Idiots!!!

I don't think these guy's are very smart. Because if they were, they would have used a leather couch that folded out into a bed. I can't tell...Is that Nike?

He has risen.

Mesopotamia/Middle East is where it all began. It is hard to believe that the region where Christ lived, preached, and healed is now home to the some of the darkest sin in the world. When I was deployed with the 3rd Battalion 25th Marines in Iraq, one of my duties was to provide security for our F.O.B. (Forward Observation Base.) Whether it was patrolling through the surrounding villages, working with the Iraqi army, or sitting on roof tops, it was my duty to provide some sense of relief to the Marines with other duties.
As I have said before, I enjoy and appreciate a sunrise much more than a sunset. Especially as a Marine trying to provide security in a dark place. I have witnessed the huge ball of fire rise on hundreds of occasions. But one stands out far above the rest.
On Easter morning, the day Christ fulfilled his promise, I took awe at a once in a lifetime sunrise. To me, it was Gods way of saying "I am with you." "This dark and disturbing place you are in right now holds nothing over the power and the ability I have to prepare a way home for you." And that's exactly what this magnificent sunrise was. It was God giving me warmth and the ability to see.
I was moved by the same morning star that rose over the same land when Christ came from the dead to show his power. Pretty cool!

Mitchell Memorial Park

Mitchell Memorial Park is just one of the many places around
Cincinnati that offers awesome trails to hike.

I love and admire the opening days of Spring. They make me so happy.

You can never admire old glory too often. So many men have sacrificed

their lives to give us the freedoms we appreciate today.

There were park rangers touching upon some of the beauties of Gods

creation.

Hank was pretty thirsty after our long walk.

Everyone taking advantage of the wonderful weather.

A beautiful Saturday afternoon without a cloud in the sky.

This was my little Saturday adventure Hank and I went on before I had to work at Red Lobster. My second to last day! It was just one of those perfect, cool days were you can hike for two hours and barely break a sweat. Hiking and backpacking in the wilderness without any one else around is such a wonderful experience. I truly do come in touch with myself and experience true solitude. But I also love being at the park even when its crowded. I usually hates crowds! Who doesn't? Who wants to wait an extra 30 seconds for a gas pump after they pull into a Speedway? Who smiles when a person with a cart filled with groceries cuts them off right before the check out counter?

But the park is different. Especially on this day. I really did enjoy seeing every one out enjoying and taking advantage of the weather. Fishing, roller blading, hiking, walking their dogs...I even saw some teenagers making out in the woods. I was thinking of letting Hank off his leash to go and bother them, but the good little birdie inside said "no."

All in all, everything was fantastic.

Me New Job

If you like old school, vintage t-shirts, I highly recommend that you check this place out at http://www.ripplejunction.com/ This designers company has been in business since 1992 and seems to grow more successful each year. I will be serving as customer service/sales representative for RJ. Thus I will be speaking to our whole sale buyers, entering data such as orders, shipping, where, what , who, when , and why... I believe it was Mr. Green in the Kitchen with the Knife.
This place is pretty sweet. Everyone is pretty much my age, the environment is laid back, and there is even a gym in the office. What more is there to ask for. You know, I might feel the next to do a set of squats or bench press to get geared up before speaking to customers.
The only thing I am unsure of is whether or not I am going to order a Seinfeld or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirt first. Which one do you think I should get?
For those of you wondering....I did not get fired from Red Lobster. Every thing was actually going really well. But we both knew going into it that I was not trying to make a career run at being a server. Nothing against that line of work, because the money can be pretty good at times, it just was not a long term fit for me. My new job will be more long term and give me great experience as well.
Jobs are so scarce to come by now-a-days! I mean, even just an interview is soooo tough to get. I was sick and tired of using career builder because any job that I applied for was something that 500 other people were also competing for. And even with my outstanding portfolio, those are more than difficult to land.
So I just want to say thank you to my special cousin Annie whom was thoughtful enough to think of me and put in a good word. God bless her little heart.

Fertilizer

The paparazzi has struck again. Since Hank has had this lamp shade on his head, I have been waiting for the perfect moment to get this shot. I actually would have had a better angle, but I went to take another action photo and my batteries didn't hold up. What are the chances? I finally get this opportunity and my batteries die! I guess I should have went with the copper top instead of saving 49 cents.
So why does my poor little guy have this alien thing on his head any way? A couple of weeks ago Hank and I were helping my friend Ryan clear his yard of branches, brush, and an old shed. Ryan rented a wood chipper and we were just going at it. FYI...where safety goggles when using one of those things, especially when it is windy. Well, Hank was running around with Ryan's two dogs, Harlan and Saul, and managed to find broken glass. From there he had stitches...Then he ate them out...Got stitched up again, for FREE, and managed to eat those out as well.
Sort of off topic... But..I don't know if its the little kid inside of me, but I always wonder what dogs think when their owners pick up their poop. Its a shame that dogs don't have the ability to laugh, because then I think I might know what is going on in their little heads.
Maybe I am just weird.

I still have dreams of being able to make a bomb out of a paper clip and a hang glider from a torn fishing net. Just give me a little duct tape, chewing gum, and my pocket knife. I love life... Family, friends, nature, golf, ice cream, chipotle, and MacGyver. I have recently discovered a website where I can watch any MacGyver episode there is. Life just got better. 45 minutes of commercial free non-stop action with Mac's buddy Pete Thorton and his trust sidekick Jack Dalton. It even gets interesting when Mac's arch nemesis Murdock throws a wrench into the situation.
If I had to make a decision of which three TV shows I had to watch for the rest of my life, they would be Jeopardy, Seinfeld, and Macgyver. Really, I don't see any other options. These are the top three of all time.
As for movies...My favorite is Stand By Me. Such a classic. Four friends head out on an adventure that would remain with them for the rest of their lives.
What are your favorite shows and movies?