Friday, December 31, 2004
Good Times/Last Times
Here is just a picture taken last Wednesday evening at Applebee's. I thought it looked happy.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Finally!
Friday, December 24, 2004
Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas everyone!
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
I Love Snow
Well today, as most of you know, it snowed like fish and gerbils. I got bored from being inside, I decided to shovel snow like a psycho. I spent like 2 hours shovel, spending a little time on the back porch, then moving to the driveway. I even shoveled half the street in front of my house so it would be easier to get in and out of the car. You should see the mounds of snow in front of my house. It is like 5 feet high and about 40 feet long. It did start wearing on my back, perhaps that a sign of old age. I don't know. Anyways, I finished around 8PM and now there is like another 2-3 inches that came back. Guess I will just hit the shovel early in the morning. It also looks like more snow tomorrow and negative low temperatures for Friday. I can't wait.
Joel and I tried to get out for a bit and did not get far. About 8PM, Joel left his house, got stuck twice, and 10 minutes later, arrived at my house. Then, he picks me up and we get like 2 blocks and get stuck on Marion Dr. and Rt. 444. After about 15 minutes of pushing and what have you, a Jeep came by and tugged us free. We then drove to IGA to turn around and get to a intersection down the street from my house. And what do you know, got stuck again. Lucky, we were on a hill and were able to get turned around and decide it would be better if Joel takes his parent's SUV to get me home. No further problems after that. Total trip time: 1 hour. Total distance traveled: less than 5 miles.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Combat Life Saver
On a nice little side note; thanks for the Marine Corps for giving me a flu shot last week. Now, I feel like crap and can't stop coughing, sneezing, and really just don't feel all that great. Another quick little bit of information, I finally got DSL hooked up at my house. Now I can take advantage of the full potential of the internet and play XBox Live. Too bad I only got 18 days left. (Look for Columbus, OH)
Monday, December 13, 2004
Last Day of Annual Training
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Just to Let You Know...
1. Combat - same time, I don't
2. Graduate from Wright State University
3. Enjoying life and good health
4. Move out of my mother's basement, f'er real
5. Show courage in a time of great fear and let my testament of Jesus Christ save a few good Marines
Monday, December 06, 2004
Annual Training
It is starting to hit me that I might be gone for a long time. We were told that we should expect to be activated for a whole year, and maybe even longer. Some more good news, I just got issued a bunch of new gear and equipment. It is a lot better than the crap we had before including the lighter kevlar, better goggles, better pack, and the SAPI plates for the flak jacket (so that I can take a 7.62 round to the chest and not be injured).
I tell you what, I am getting sick of all the stupid crap we have to do around the drill center like busy work and endless classes. Today, we had a 4 hour class with only a 5 minute break. I was fighting myself to not fall asleep. I was in like a daze and not really learning anything. I can understand the fact that we need to know this stuff to help stay alive and fight better, but they are just drilling us with knowledge at every minute and keep telling us to stay busy going over this or going over that. 10-11 hours a day of this stuff starts to wear you down mentally and it has only been 3 days. God help me.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Why I Joined the Corps
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Cafe Boulevard
As I Promised
What are 3 things about myself I have tried to change, and have not yet changed?
1. Procrastination with school work
2. Consistent quiet times with God
3. Be more tactful with people
What are 3 things I wanted to change (either about myself or about anything else) and I did change?
1. I am more confident in who I am
2. Learned to play the guitar
3. Learned how to dress well
Kudos to Dell
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Can't Keep the Fans Waiting
One thing that I wanted to do with this blog, and have not really started, was to blog about some things that people that know me, might not know about. So, I will start tomorrow with a little something something to allow people to get to know me better and why I act the way I act sometimes; which isn't a bad thing is it?
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Minesweeper
AE Retreat
Well, besides that, it wasn't all that bad. I had a good time and was able to get away for a bit. I jogged through the woods and was able to check out a lot of the camp that I never have seen before. It was very nice and peaceful, just the quiet stir of the wind through the woods. I know that there were some bonds broken during Saturday night’s service. Josh took the mic and just spoke some great things to the teens to let go and give it to God. He had them write down their problems and addictions on a sheet of paper. Afterwards, we burned it. Some relationships were healed as well.
I was able to lay some things before God that have been bothering me lately. Mainly worries about my future and what’s in store for me. Hopefully this won’t be my last retreat.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Finally
For you guys (and I guess some girls play), Halo 2 offered some great soundtracks for combat, large and impressive level design, and some really challenging, but not impossible, missions. I just wish they didn't end it like they did; guess I might read the books.
Go Hard or Go Home
Out Here
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Last Day of School
I haven't really given any thought of what goals that I want to get done before my next birthday. There are some plans I laid out a few years ago about what I want to have accomplished before by the age of 25. By the way things are looking, I will be completely outta credit card debt and have my car paid off. So, that would just leave student loans. I will be happy when I can do that. Also, I wanted to get a Trans Am by 25. I don't know if I will do that because my thinking has changed about my use of income and how I can better myself with a little self-control and discipline. Time will tell of course.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Remember Names
It is helpful to repeat the person's name during initial conversation, or to comment on how the person reminds you of someone else you know of the same name. If a person has a complicated or unfamiliar name, you might ask how to spell it. Sometimes just visualizing an image of the name spelled out will fix it into your memory. Using a person’s name when saying goodbye will also help secure it into your memory bank.
Perhaps the most effective method for remembering names and faces uses three basic memory skills I call Look, Snap, and Connect. First, make sure you consciously listen and observe the name (Look). Then create a mental snapshot (Snap) of the name and the face. Finally, Connect the name snap with the face snap.
To create a visual Snap for the face, pick out a feature that may be easy to remember. Simply look at the person’s face and search for the most distinguishing feature—for example, a small nose, large ears, unusual hair, or deep wrinkles. Often the first outstanding feature you notice is the easiest to recall later.
In creating a Snap for the name, note that all names can be placed into two groups: those that have a meaning and invoke a visual image, and those that don’t. Names like Carpenter, Kratz, House, Bishop, Siegel, White, or Silver all have a meaning and can readily bring to mind an image. After meeting Mrs. Siegel, think of a seagull.
Other names that have no immediate meaning may require additional mental effort to remember. However, the names or the syllables and sounds within them can be associated with a substitute name or sound that does have a meaning. By linking these substitute words together, you can create a visual image that works. Sometimes we can break a name into syllables that contain meanings, and link them afterward. For example, the name George Waters could be remembered through an image of a gorge with a stream of water rushing into it. The word or syllable substitutes do not need to be exact. Jane Shirnberger could be a chain draped over a shined shoe that steps on a burger. I sometimes prefer seeing a famous person with the same name. So Jane Shirnberger becomes Jayne Mansfield wearing shined shoes and eating a burger.
In the final step, you Connect the name to the face by creating a mental image involving both your visual snapshots: the Snap for the distinguishing facial feature and the Snap for the name. For example, if Mrs. Beatty has prominent lips, an effective face snap for her might be her lips, and the name snap might be an image of Warren Beatty. Connect them by visualizing Warren Beatty kissing her on the lips (but don’t tell Annette Bening about this).
The images and substitute words need not be perfect. The process of thinking up the images and making the connections will fix them into memory so you never forget a name and face again.
Written by Gary Small
The Experts' Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do
Created by Samantha Ettus
Halo 2
Monday, November 08, 2004
279th Marine Corps Birthday
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Another One Bites the Dust
Anyone who wants to see the county break down for the whole country, then go here: http://www.newsmax.com
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Hannitized
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Mother's Truck
My mother was involved in a vehicle accident this morning and here is a picture of it afterwards. She got banged up a bit; broke 4 bones in her right foot and bruised up her knee as well. I was upset when she called me this morning right before I was going to leave to see President Bush at the Hara Arena. I was really looking forward to it because I never seen a President in person before and would like to see this particular one. But of course, of all timing, I had to go and pick up my mother at the hospital and take her to another doctor's office. I don't mean to be cold towards my mother, but it was just wrong timing I guess. It looks like she won't be able to drive for a bit and will have a hard time getting around the house. So I guess that leaves me with a lot more responsibility at home.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Something I Fear
Monday, October 25, 2004
Conversations in Class
Another conversation that we had early in this class, was also about politics and who you would vote for and why. The issue of homosexual marriage was brought up. This one lady brought up that she goes to church and was for homosexual marriage because she works in a hospital and sees the effect of not allowing it. She thinks that when 2 loving and totally committed homosexual adults can't be allowed to see one another at a hospital or on their deathbed is wrong. This lady said that Christians should not judge people for having an "alternative lifestyle." That kinda ticked me off. It is not an "alternative" lifestyle, it is a homosexual lifestyle. I hate it when I hear someone try to water it down to mean something not as bad. They need to quit worrying if they might hurt someone's feelings, and just say it for what it is.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
The cat is out of the bag
James Out.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Political power is great
I am James McCauley and I approve of this message.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
My lovely weekend
There are some good things that I can say happened this weekend of drill, which by the way, was a little bit longer than a weekend (5 days). Somehow, somewhere, our company gunny was able to arrange for some of the riflemen in our company to qualify on the pistol range. That is something which rarely ever happens in the reserves because lack of time and money prohibit non-essential personnel from firing the pistol. Lucky, I was one of 38 riflemen that was picked to shoot. Now, this is my first time doing the pistol range, so I did not perform as high as I would with the rifle range, but I think I did well considering my lack of training on this weapon system. I shot sharpshooter, so now I get to add 1 more badge to my dress uniforms, so I am happy about that.
The rest of drill week consisted of having some classes on Thursday about IEDs and EPOW searches, then practical application afterwards. LtCol. Lesaveage, the BN commander, talked to the whole battalion for a bit. He said some watered down secret stuff and his opinions. I pulled targets all day Friday. Helped teach a class on Saturday morning, then headed to pistol range. Afterwards, sat around for about 6 hours waiting and hating life while at the same time waiting to be picked up to meet up with the rest of the battalion. It was kinda cold outside just sitting around or standing. Anyways, they ended couldn't find us, so by a act of God, the 6.7 mile BN hike was cancelled. Needless to say, it was a happy day for all the Marines. Next, back onto the bus for the 8 hour ride back to Columbus. Sunday consisted of cleaning weapons and taking care of admin stuff and once again, a whole lot of sitting around. Oh, we were also put on alert offcially for mobilization in January.
Well, that was a lot of info, so I will leave it as is.