Elect Kinky! Why the HELL Not?

Kinky Friedman, my personal choice for our future Govenor in Texas, has hired Dean Barkley (the man that helped get Jesse Ventura elected) to help his campaign.

Woo Hoo! Kinky's pickin' up speed! Any Texan that is a registered voter, but not affiliated with any party -you don't vote in Primaries-, please sign Kinky's petition to get on the ballot. (While I'd urge you to vote for him, just signing the petition to get him ON the ballot is enough for me.)

Let's ELECT KINKY! "How Hard Could It Be?" :)

Divine!

We have new shipping dates! TMO was very helpful today (I guess this is their one nice deed for the year).

Our stuff will go out on 16 & 17 May, with our intial inspeciton still on 20 May which gives me a chance to steam the carpets, scrub the walls, yada yada yada before they get here. This is working out to make it easier on me in the long run.

I hope your day turns out 'Divine'...mine is because I don't have to make any more Divinity! (Yeah right, hubby's already put in a request...and the kids are nuts for it too...sugar and syrup tomorrow again I guess.)




Divinity 

Death to the Traitor

Akbar got the DEATH PENALTY for his crimes. The UCMJ is swift and hard. I only hope they execute him soon!

Funnies, Cool Stuff and Blog roll additions

There have been several great sites added to the blogroll. Many military spouses are present and accounted for. GO READ THEM! (Oh, yeah, and click their Google ads...military paychecks need all the help they can get!)


My life as a military spouse has some great laughs up today. I really enjoyed this one. (Note, those are British military - Marines I think - not French wennies. The French would have thrown up the white flag and surrendered to the sand long before that.

While searching around the same site I turned up navy fun with planes, too. That would be one hell of a ride!

This is what happens when you ask a military man to help with the laundry. ;)

It went boom! Never let anyone tell you that the military can't find ways to have fun while deployed.

And finally we have a great bit of military potty humour. Literaly in this case...


Military Bride had a link to this great letter, entitled: Letter to a Military Wife This should make the rounds of every military spouse you know! Stemily, Homefront Six, Lorelie this means YOU!


Cool stuff indeed! I hold in my hot little hands one Map of Roman Britain published in 1956 by the Ordnance Survey. I've said I have this 'thing' for Rome, well I'm also a map freak. (I'm waiting on my Republic of Texas map to get in from eBay as I type.) So, hubby made me VERY happy by buying me an old map of the Roman province of Britania. He LOVE me, he really does (he even bought me a 12 pack of Dr. Pepper)!

So, no matter how crapy my day is (or was), I know I'm loved. :) I hope your day turns out the same...now I gotta get back to makin' my Divinity.

I HATE this base!

In case there is someone that hasn't grasped how much I hate this base....

I HATE THIS BASE!!!

We've got our TMO shipment date for the household goods scheduled for 18 and 19 May...they've also now scheduled our VISA paperwork and appointments for 18 May. Hubby, kids and I must ALL be there in Beford (which they swear is the ONLY Italian Consulate in all of England that issues VISAs...I don't buy it, do you?????).

We can't reschedule the VISA appointment as they MAIL your VISAs to you. (British mail is notoriously slow, and there is a massive amount of mail in Oxfordshire that 'get's lost' or outright DESTROYED by the mail carriers.) You can't just wait like you do at the US Consulates. (The US Embassy in London SUCKS, by the way...I can deal with the 'I don't know' answers, atleast they are admitting they DON'T know. But don't tell me 'That's not our job, you have to talk to the Brits'. This is a way to piss me off in no-time flat! What exactly is the purpose of the US Embassy if it isn't to HELP AMERICANS?!?)

Add to this that we're supposed to have FREE VISAS (which the MOD folks on-base swear we have to PAY $280 for (only the 'application' is free according to them...nevermind what the Major in charge of Aviano's MPF says!) So, hopefully I'll recieve an e-mail from the Maj. tomorrow telling me what I need to do. That, or the MOD folks will get a right ol' arse reaming from a USAF officer. Either one is good for me!

So, we're doing our damndest to get TMO to reschedule the packout dates, which may or may not happen. If not we'll have to have some other adult at our house to hang out with the movers (and tell them what NOT to pack...that'll be fun) until we can get back.


Hubby's gaining unit is cycling up for a deployment too! I really hope we get there after they leave...just so I don't have to do all the in-processing crap and household goods shit by myself. (I know, I know, I'm selfish, I admit it!)

I do not relish this move, though the sooner we're outta here the better for my nerves and temper!

WMD, Elections and Sickness

Dean recently did a post on the WMD 'controversy' (only made so by those that don't want to admit certain things). That post happened to come 2 days after we got a load of British elecion crap through our door.

We aren't registered to vote (we're not UK citizens), and I've begged the council to stop sending us the stupid notes and reminders to register, which they haven't done of course. Well on Tuesday we got a buttload of electionering pleas in our mail. I happened to sit down and read some of them and I'm appaled!

We've got the 'Liberal Democrats' bashing Americans on their 'manifesto' (anyone remember a certains COMMUNIST that basically coined that word???). That doesn't even scrape the tip of the liesburg they're selling to the British population. I'm so disgusted with them that I decided to rip each of their 'manifesti' to shreds...

I will post exactly as written, ink color and all, so you can get a gist of the insanity of this party! I will be assigning an arbatrary number system to their claims, as they are just put in various places with no rhyme or reason I can figure out, but I think one of their stated goals negates any chance at achieving all the others, thus I'm putting it first on the list. The rest are just right to left assertions of what's wrong in the UK and how the Lib Dems will 'fix' it.


1. Axe the unfair Council Tax. The Council Tax penalises pensioners and people on low incomes. Under the Liberal Democrats a typical household will save around £450 per year. (The Council Tax amounts to a city-wide taxation scheme that pays for road work, police, schools, hospitals, garbage and recycling, etc, etc, etc. The Lib Dems (as they're known by the Brits) want to get rid of it, TOTALLY! They want the British government in Whitehall to foot the entire bill, but without any town, village or city contributing to the cost. Also £450 roughyly equals $900.)


2. Those towards the end of their lives deserve dignity. Liberal Democrats will provide free personal care when people most need it - for as long as they need it! This is but one service provided by the local councils, with no council tax how is it to be funded?


3. Liberal Democrats would make our pension system fairer for women and more generous to all those who have contributed to our society in so many ways throughout their lives. Women do on average get less than men from the pension system here in the UK. However, what the Lib Dems don't tell you is that the women paid in less than the men did (because of working less hours, less wage amounts, fewer jobs worked)...all in all women contributed less so they get less back. While I don't like the fact women were less able, or willing, to work and earn a higher pay that doesn't mean that the pension system is automatically sexist, which is what the Lib Dems seem to be attempting to imply. Pension system of course is equal to our own Social Security.

4.. Cut class sizes. Liberal Democrats will cut class sizes from the present maximum of 30 to an average of just 20 for pupils up to 7, and we will cut average class sizes to 25 for pupils up to 11 - so every child gets the best possible start at school. How they intend to do this is unstated, though the most understandable way is through more teachers, again not paid for by the council taxation and instead by the 'federal' level of the British government. There are only two other options...build new schools and higher new staff (even more expsensive) or kick kids out of school. None of the three as set out by the statements of the Lib Dems make any sense. Also, British school doesn't work the same way US school does, at the age of roughly 11 you take a test that pretty much dictates your life from there on out. Your score is used to determine what jobs you can do, what higher education opportunities you will be given, you social and economical status...in effect it works like a machine that stamps your worker drone info on you. It is very difficult to change, or even get into higher education offers, if you score poorly on your standardized test.


5. Tens of thousands of students are sadddles with moutainous debts. Liberal Democrats will abolish all student tuition fees. These fees are equal to our own college tuition fees. Again, it appears Whitehall is to foot the bill for educating an entire nation of children with no funds coming in from the families of those enrolled. This may also apply to private schools, which I suppose would then have to become public and no longer have stringent admission standards, thus defeating the idea of private school - this is only my interpetation of the Liberal Democrats' own statements, I can't fathom how their minds work...if they do at all.

6. Zoe has campaigned against closure of community hospitals and says 'We value our local hospitals who provide care close to home for those who need it. We believe in putting patients first - free from Whitehall meddling We would also privide free eye and dental check ups and reduce red tape. Zoe is one Zoe Patrick, the local Banbury Liberal Democrat. There is a start quote, but no end quote so I don't know where her statement ends and the Lib Dem line starts. I'd assume at the end of 'for those that need it.' but I'm not certain. There are several gramatical errors that I would think a national party in the UK would catch, but obviously not. Also, note that Whitehall is to foot the bills, but not to have a say how the cash is spent. Please also note that you get free vision and dental checks, if you meet certain requirements (age, marital status, income...basically the 'indigent' in the US), already. The Lib Dems in Banbury evidently hope the British voting population is too stupid to know their own laws and rights.


7. More police on the streets. Cutting crime and the fear of crime. Getting rid of Labour's expensive and ineffective ID card scheme will pay for 0,000 extra police. In addition, Liberal Democrats will coomplete existing plans for an extra 20,000 community support officers to back them up. Fear of crime would be the important bit, as UK crime rates have been falling for quite some time. Also, the ID scheme is seriously flawed (they want ALL your data on the card - full medical, credit, benefits allowed, concession rates (lower cost bus fares for example), taxpayer Identification Number, criminal background...the whole shebang) but they have no standard ID form available (passports are accepted, as are driving licenses (with or without a photo), credit cards, bills addressed to your home and even library cards are acceptable forms of ID. The driving license in nothing like the one in the states. It doesn't list your home address, it lists nothing of your important medical information (allergies and the like) and is basically a card that states your name and what class of vehicle you can drive, but if you lose it you'll have no photo to prove who you are). The 'community support officers' are basically minimally trained civillians that volunteer to aid the police. They can very from good to absolutely horrible because there is only the bare minimum standard of proficency. Most British people look down on them as unskilled and incompetent.


8. Local people need affordable homes. Zoe Patrick says "Any housing development has to have adequate infrastructure including good public transport and leisure facilities for local communities" I'll give 'em the 'affordable housing'. Local prices are astronomical to put it bluntly. Remember, £1 = $2 basically. There is no way we'd be able to live here if the USAF didn't pay us to. Something else to keep in mind is that UK houses, and European ones in general, (anywhere between 500sqft and 2500sqft) are about a 1/3rd the size of the US counterparts (average of 2200 sqft). Now, by 'leisure facilites' they mean pubs, resturants, sports arenas, pools, golfing, horse stables and the list goes one. I list pub first because the British are a nation of drunkards that literaly crawl from pub to pub - they have no law about serving an already visibly intoxicated person.

10. The Lib Dems state: Only one increse in tax is proposed, this being a new 50% rate of National Income Tax on income over £100,000 per annum. So we get to the tax the rich, give to the poor and don't make anyone help support their own government if they use the services of it. I knew we'd get there eventually, didn't you?

Now, the kicker for me is the back page. This is it:


Liberal Democrat manifesto photo 

The text under the photo reads:

We whould not have gone to war in Iraq. There were no Weapons of Mass Destrucion; there was no serious and current threat; and inspectors were denied the time they needed to finish their job. The war has cost thousands of lives on all sides, and the British taxpayer has had to foot a bill for over £3.5 BILLION... so far!

We have found Sarin, which even though it was old was against Iraq's treaty with the US at the end of the Gulf War. Iraq never destroyed the weapons and there is countless documentation stating Saddam was seeking to get more WMD. Even the French (who were making BILLIONS in illegal oil money) admit Iraq was a clear and present danger. The inspectors had 13 YEARS! For a country that is only twice the size of Idaho I think that's more than enough time. I'll even give you they only had 10 years because Saddam kept kicking them out (another treaty violation and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions). The Lib Dems are equating the lives of sucide bombers and mass murderers allied with Al Quieda to the lives of US miltary and UK military personel (and those of countless allies and unarmed aid workers that have their heads chopped off on Al Quieda News). They also consider the lives of terrorists equal to the lives of little children blown to bits with their mothers for going to the local market. I can't even begin to describe the revulsion I feel for such 'equitable' treatment of victim and killer. Innocence does not equal outright blood-thirsty evil and anyone that can make them balance is a very sick, disturbed individual that doesn't need to control a nation. On the £3.5 BILLION front, we've fronted 100 times + more. Are we seeking to end taxation and call terrorists of the same use to humanity as their innocent victims? Well, California and New York are but they don't make up the bulk of the American population. Relativism has it's place, this is not it.



Now, on the sickness front (and partly election with hospitals)...British hospitals are disgusting! If you imagine the worst thing you can think about 3rd world hospitals, you'll be approaching what a UK hospital looks like. German ones were a shock, but UK ones are appaling! They make you wait 3-6 hours to get seen in A&E (Accident and Emergency) while there are no other patients, no ambulances come in, and there are no major accidents on the roadways anywhere near the hospital. They make you pay to park (2 hours at a time, £4 per set at the Horton in Banbury - £3 at the John Radcliffe in Oxford), even at the A&E ward and if you're a scheduled patient (ala John Radcliffe where I had the 3rd one). They have a rampant bug called MRSA that is caused and spread by poor hygeine. (Doctors and nurses DON'T wash their hands here in the UK. I kid you not, they don't even use the quick evaporating alchohol rubs!) The bug is rampant and has been killing people since the early 80's (it started in a London hosptial and now there is NO hosptial in the UK that doesn't have it).

You are expected to wash out and steralise your own urine and fecal matter collection cups, they don't have the little 'wet wipes' used for 'clean' sample collections (urine mainly, but they kill off any germs present in the area being monitored), you don't get drugs from the Doc - you go to the Pharmacy and pay for even the most basic of prescriptions (if they even give you one, they'll normally tell you they can't help you and send you on your merry way). They 'set' broken bones with two pieces of what behaves like balsa wood and some gauze. You're allowed 1 ultrasound per pregnancy (any extras YOU have to pay for, even if medically needed) and you have to pay for the photos from the ultrasound. Backwards is a nice way to put it...filthy and disease ridden is much closer to the truth.

So, if you come to the UK and you make money, don't claim it and don't go to a hospital even if you're dying. You're probably safer.

Missing Country

Living overseas I do actually miss my country, though I miss TEXAS much more deeply. Part of what I miss about Texas, and the US in general, is country music. This desire is all the more accute in England because we don't get AFN/AFRTS.

That being said I found, by complete and utter seridipitous luck, a website that I can view country music videos with. American Music Channel is a website devoted to showing free country music videos.

As the stereotypical Texan, I live and breath country music. I also bleed red-white-&-blue. When you consider this state of natural affairs you may begin to understand how keenly I want to know what songs are popular. I also want the comfort of some stanchly pro-American, pro-Military songs (as opposed to Madonna, Green Day and the Dixie Twits).

Now, I've admited I'll cry at the drop of a good word about the US. Well, American Music Channel had me silently weeping several times. They've got Toby Keith (if that man don't want to make you get up and whop some ass, nothing will), Daryl Worley (No, I HAVEN'T forgotten, and I won't forgive), Monty Lane Allen (you aren't alone my friend...), and SHeDAISY (they will when the job is done).

That site has become a regular stop for me. I hope it might for you, too. If you do I hope you end up proud of the sheer amount of talent that so strongly supports our country and military.

Case Lot Coming

Case Lots are coming to a Commissary near you next month. Man, did DECA plan it just so I couldn't buy anything?!? UGH, I LOVE Case Lot sales (I've still got 3/4 of a case of trash bags). You can get some of the best deals there, and if you hit them all (Fairford, Lakeheath, Alconbury, Croughton and West Ruislip) you can get a REALLY GOOD SELECTION.

Dude, maybe they'll be before we ship our stuff....we can ship closed boxed food and canned food. Can always hope...

They should be holding them stateside too, for all y'all able to get to a US military base and the Commissary.

They've got great stuff on offer most times. I've bought diapers, wipes, snack food, Hamburger Helper, canned veggies, canned meat, frozen side dishes, frozen meals, cleaning supplies (those would come in handy...hint, hint DECA!). Those sales rock! Get to one if you can, and bring your coupons. You can save a mint of regular prices. (Also remember overseas DECA accepts cupons for 6 months PAST their printed experation date!)

Case Lot Here We Come!

My little 'pajamahadien'. Bloggers everywhere watch out! 

Entertainment 'News'

I will admit to reading the gossip pages. :shame faced: However, a few items caught my interest today and I had to comment on them.

The Beckhams (David 'Golden Balls' and Victoria "Posh") are considering legal action after the publication of an interview with their former nanny. That isn't the interesting bit, nor is the 'salicious details' in the interview. The interesting part is that the tabloid that published the interview, the News of the World, sued to be allowed to publish the article because the 'story was in the public interest'. (Now, I read the gossip sheets, and I do have an interst in whatever gossip is coming out of Hollywierd, or Spain in this case, but come on! This is a private, married couple. I don't care that he's the captain of the England squad, or that she was a Spice Girl...they are entitled to some privacy in my opinion.) The judge let them publish the article agreeing it was in the public interest to do so. WHY? Is there some bizzare law in wakko-land that famous people can't be married and have fights? I don't know any couple that doesn't have 'blazing rows' (British speak for fights), espeically if the hubby is accused of infidelity. And given that case, what married couple wouldn't have a fight about 'breaking up'? Honestly...Why does the public NEED to know about it? WANTING does not make it a NEED. I did not NEED to know about Clinton and the intern from hell (I didn't really want to in all truthfulness. The only thing that ticked me off was lying under oath...well that and the 'is' definitonS). I don't NEED to know about GW's and Laura's marriage, nor do I really want to. Private people fighting in private does not a news story make. If you get into a knock-down drag-out in public I'm more tolerant of reporting it, but this is just a case of someone 'spilling the beans' to make a quick buck. (Oh and, and for the 'nanny', I don't know what you consider within your job description, but reading someone else's private text messages on their phone doesn't have to do with caring for their children...Invasion of privacy comes nowhere near that level of intrusion.)


Someone needs to tell Pam 'Flotation Device' Andreson she isn't exactly Einstein material herself! The woman who is so 'smart' that she has to have multiple tit jobs to feel good about herself has labeled Jennifer Lopez and Puff Daddy "immature and unenlightened idiots". Hello, Pammy?!? Check your ego at the PETA office. Your Hep-C medication was tested on bunnies and ferrets and all kinds of cuddly little animals before it made the FDA acceptable list. Perhaps you need to let your statement writing assistant look up 'hypocrit' for you...Oh and for the record, fur only smells like 'wet dog' if you get it wet, dipshit!

Honest Answers

I just found this over at Homefront Six and wanted to post my answers (if anyone gives a la-dee-dah).



1. Which political party do you typically agree with? Usually? Republican. However, I vote for the person and their stances on the issues, not what party they belong to. I've voted for Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, you name it - in different levels of government. I make an exception for future Democrats as I am appaled at the way they behave in Texas and I will never again vote for one.

2. Which political party do you typically vote for? I'd have to say Republican because 9 times out of 10, their candidate falls in line with my belief system on US governmental intervention and the military. Libertarian on most state and private life issues.

3. List the last five presidents that you voted for. Bush, Bush, Clinton(yeah, I know). I wasn't old enough to vote until 1996.

4. Which party do you think is smarter about the economy? Based on W's track record, I'd have to say neither party has a CLUE about the economy. But the party isn't just one man so I'd have to go with the Republicans on this one. Run it like the business it is, not the social charity you want it to be. (I haven't changed Homefront Six's answers as I agree totally.)

5. Which party do you think is smarter about domestic affairs? I follow the Libertarian party lines for the most part so, again, I think I fall on the Republican side of things. Let people be in charge of their own lives (especially in the case of Schavio - the government had NO business there at all).

6. Do you think we should keep our troops in Iraq or pull them out? The job dictates on when they leave, and right now the job isn't done (though it's much closer to done that the news would like to lead you to believe). If I was apt to believe a crystal ball I'd wager on another 3 years at least, but that's only if you're giving good odds on me being right.

7. Who, or what country, do you think is most responsible for 9/11? Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and fundamentalist Islamic extremists. There is no one country, but there are many governments that are happy to supply them - with the full help of the UN and 'some' members of the Security Council.

8. Do you think we will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Doubtful. But I think we WILL find IRAQI weapons of mass destruction in places such as Syria, Lebbanon, Iran, and Saudi Arabia (come on, like anyone thinks they're really an ally in the WOT?). (Their time will come...eventually.)

9. Yes or no, should the U.S. legalize marijuana? Yes. Continuing to outlaw marijuana is more than hypocritical given the fact that we allow drugs that are FAR more addictive and cause FAR more destruction within our society - nicotine and alcohol - to remain legal. Legalize it, TAX IT, and release all prisoners convicted of possession (as long as there was no violent crime of any kind associated with the charge), and make room for the criminals that TRULY belong in jail. (Again, no change to Homefront's answers, except that I added taxation, and I'd like to add prostitution to the list, with the same conditions.)

10. Do you think Bill Clinton should have been impeached because of what he did with Monica Lewinski? Presidents philander, so no - having an affair is not a crime. Lying under OATH is. THAT is what he should have been found guilty of. Besides, his wife seems perfectly happy with the way their marriage works (look where it's gotten her today...a Senator from New York).

11. Do you think Hillary Clinton would make a good president? No. Hillary has good ideas on paper (national healthcare) but her implimentation plans scare me. Very few politicans scare me, but she's on a very short list.

12. Name a current Democrat who would make a great president. Lieberman - I just want to see the reaction of the Jew hating world to know a Jew is in charge of the world's strongest army and isn't afraid to use it (however, in Joe's case he is...).

13. Name a current Republican who would make a great president. Colin Powell (the very fact he puts his family first shows he would have deep concern for his electorate, while the fact he doesn't want the office is a shame he is a great leader, besides...I want someone in the WH with military experiance (I never said I was unbiased); Condoleeza Rice (a very intelligent, black woman that would destroy so many 'glass ceilings'. I think she would make a wonderful President, and she may still be getting 'groomed' for it in the future...we'll have to wait and see).

14. Do you think that women should have the right to have an abortion? I do not think it is government's role to tell a person what they can and cannot do with (or to) their bodies. With that being said, *I* personally could never have an abortion but it is not MY place to tell someone else what to do with their body. That is between them and God. (No change to Homefront's answers...only to add that I would love all 3 of my children the same if they did have one. I won't dictate to another woman without a lifetime in her shoes, and as that isn't possible I leave it between her and her God.)

15. What religion are you? Christian. I am not a fan of "organized religion". It seems to have become more of a business and has lost sight of the true spiritual nature of religion and religious belief. It was all invited long after Messiah's death to serve the political and power hungry bent of the men in charge (who, with the help of women who didn't complain - thus condoning their actions, made women second class in their relationship to the divine for too long).

16. Have you read the Bible all the way through? Yes, several times. I would become a theologian in a heartbeat if I could get commissioned by the USAF afterwards (as an 'eclectic pagan' that is).

17. What’s your favorite book? I haven't met a book I didn't like, however a good place to start is: Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss; Charlotte's Web - E.B. White; & The Dark Tower Series - Stephen King.

18. Who is your favorite band? Not band, artist - George Strait. If I had to pick a group it would be Fleetwood Mac.

19. What website did you see this on first? Homefront Six

Life in the Guppy Bowl

An American in Italy just put up a post I can indentify with. It's all about living life in the military housing fishbowl. It was bad stateside, but it has nothing on livin' overseas.

Some folks have WAY too much time on their hands. My life is not that interesting (which makes me wonder why folks visit my blog...), so I really don't understand the rumour mill kicking into full swing.

We have a habit of behaving JUST wierd enough to make the gossip vine (which I've learned to have fun with, as you'll see). In Germany it wasn't soo bad, but I think that had to do with the fact there were SO MANY of us (77,000+ with dependents) that there was no great thrill in rumourmongering. Let me tell you, a GSU is a far, far different place. I'll give you some examples of what I mean....


1. Hubby supposedly cheats on me (hahaha, he works 12 hour shifts, I wanna see that!). What's worse is that my bestest friend (HI NF!!) was supposedly one of the folks he cheated on me with! She did reach 'secodary wife' status but only because of her DVD addiction...not quite as bad as hubby, but she'd actually borrow and lend back and forth with him.

2. Hubby also supposedly has a 'girlfriend', which also happens to be the new best friend (Hi RG!!). This stems from the fact that she and her hubby (JG) come over regularly. He's from Texas y'all, I gotta take care of my own! We invite them over for holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) and we go out with them (London mainly).

3. There is a rumour now that I'm screwing around with JG, too. I guess that makes us SWINGERS! (OOoh, now do you know why it's fun to mess with their heads?!?) This is not a new rumour, as the G's have had it leveled at them before hand.

4. I've heard we drink too much. Funny, haven't had a drink in about 6 weeks. I do get drunk, but only after 2 of hubby's margaritas (I can't hold my booze, I admit it). We also have invited the G's over for tacos and margaritas, which makes the rumor mill switch into frenetic gear when they leave intoxicated and walk home at all hours (2 AM...who the hell except a busybody is awake and watchin' my house at 2 AM?)

5. Hubby supposedly is a violent and mean person. BWAHAHAHAHA! The man can have folks cowering when he yells, but that is very very seldomly. I yell a whole hell of a lot more than he ever has. I guess they just accept I'm a bitch. ;)


These are all examples of why it is military spousalship can be very hard at times. While hubby/wife is away is one, but dealing with the rudeness and jackass behavior of other Americans makes it ten times worse. It is comforting, in a really sad way, to see that the penchant for backstabbing and idiocy is alive and well in the sister services, and in Italy. Same shit, different bucket.

(Oh and for the record, I agree with American in Italy, if I was gonna cheat it wouldn't be for a 15-mintue quickie in the afternoon either.)

Bwahahahahahaha

Prescription Drugs can be FUNNY!

Age yourself

What will you look like 40 years from now? Pretty cool stuff actually. Really fun if you're bored. :)

An Air Force 'Idol'

Now, I despise 'Idol', 'Pop Star', 'Survivor' and the like. Reality TV disturbs me because it appeals to such a vain, mean-spiritied bent in humanity. (Seriously, who honestly wants to admit they like to see the British dude rip folks to shred?) I turn the crap off as soon as it comes on, but over here it's almost impossible to escape it.

However, I would like to introduce you to the USAFE 'Idol' winner, Maj. Larry Speer. He seems to have picked a great song (America by Neil Diamond) land had a great crowd (Ramstein Air Base - the home crowd) behind him.

I am happy to note General Fogelsong (aka "Doc.") wants to make the contest a yearly event. Even better than he wants to highlight all the airmen with 'musical talent'. I think this will help the US military's image (if we can get stateside papers to report it that is...). Either way, congratulations Maj. Speer!

Moving Forward

Aka Clearing Out...

We got rid of a good 500 lbs worth of crap today. When you consider we had a 9,000l b limit we barely squeaked under coming over here, the weight loss is a good thing. We've got an additional 2,000 lbs leaving here, which brings it up to 11,000 lbs but I'm getting rid of all the crap I can.

We've gotten rid of the Eckbank (even though I loved it!) because the US movers destroyed it. I'm hoping to replace it on our trip through Germany. We chunked the old bike trailer (only one kid to ride now, so she got a seat), two car seats (RATS, God I hate RATS, got into our shed and had a field day...), several hundered empty DVD cases (450+), ancient Christmas lights, my solar lights that NEVER worked, all in all JUNK. I got rid of some of my clothes (unworn in the last 6 months, most likely not to be worn) and lots of baby clothes (they were dropped in the 'needy' bins at base, so they don't go to waste, along with my old clothes). I've still got to go back through the youngest's drawers but we're making serious headway.

Because hubby got up and did that (I made quite clear I would NOT under any circumstances clear out the shed!) I was pumped enough to attack the kitchen. I've got two 13 gallon garbage bags full of recyle (old dishes, plastic ware, pans). None of it is salvagable, so to the recycle it goes.

Tomorrow hubby will deal with Housing (get us on the list in Italy) and fax a copy of our orders so we can get a PSC box at Aviano. He's got to check on his coin box. (2 months later and they STILL haven't finished it...do you see a pattern to this base yet?!?) I've got to mail a box of games to Iraq (special request that didn't make it last week due to derailment in migraineville).

I got the lawn mowed (well, the front anyway) and the garden weeded. It really needed doing about a week and a half ago, but it took until I had a light-sensative migraine and serious hayfever for me to get my lazy butt in gear and get it done. This is never a good idea, especially when you can't find your sunglasses and the pollen is everywhere, but atleast it's done! (I'll probably have to do it again in a week, but atleast a few days of peace.)


Hubby is currently working on our caravan tables and benches (they needed replacing in the first case and re-enforcing in the second). He's also got to do the cabinet doors for when we get the new appliances put in (stove, fridge, batteries + solar charging panel, etc....). We've layed the new carpeting, and I take the material and bench cushions to be covered tomorrow.

I've still got the waterproof paint the walls and some of the shelving. That has to be done before the new and improved doors and the like can be fitted. Hopefully tomorrow while the kiddos are at school....

So, we're moving ever so slowly forward towards our PCS date. Which can't come soon enough for me...I'm feeling a bit accomplished today, which is far better than the blahs of 'I don't wanna' that I've been under for a few weeks. Hope it lasts!

Children's TV, the Good the Bad and the Ugly

I was thinking about a recent post on The Queen Of All Evil's blog, which is about TV and if it's bad for your children. (The imputus being the AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) said ANY tv for a child under 2 is bad (but they've never done a study to support that conclusion).

Now, this isn't a post about the good or bad argument of TV. This post is about the most HATED of children's tv charecters. I'm making a list, and I'm curious for all those parents, child care providers, teachers and the like, out there who just grates your nerves to the point to want to smash the TV to make them shut up?!? Also, who are the charecters you love so much you'll tolerate episode after episode of them, you'll buy their toys and clothes lines, you'll read stories about them to your kids....

Basically who do you love, and who do you loathe? And why?

Mine are:

Hate 'em!

Elmo I worked at Target during the height of 'tickle me elmo' lunacy, and I despise him! If I could pile them all in a big heap and torch them, I would!

Baby Bear This is the most hideous Sesame Street charecter ever. More than once I've had to correct my children's speech and listen to 'but Baby Bear does it'. That nixed BB every time he comes on. In the states I would MUTE the TV so they couldn't hear his stupid slurred speech and idiotic word usage.

Barney I just despise Barney, I hate him. The songs give me headaches, they're just so ridiculously saccharin sweet they'll rot your brain.


Love em!

Mr. Rogers He was cool (though the sweater routine was a bit geeky). It was a sad day for children and adults the world over when he passed away...I'm glad my children did get to see him in action post 9-11. That old spark never went out, he could hold my attention as an adult just as well as he did as a child.

Kim Possible This is one great role model for girls. She fights evil, she has her share of family problems, and she's always there for you when you need her.

Fillmore He fights 'crime' at school, has a very smart, if a bit oddly dressed, partner and he proves second chances can work. Very positive re-inforcement in my opinion.

Scooby Doo I've loved Scooby my entire life, and I'm happy my kids do too. They show not everything that looks scary is something to be terrified of, and the you can overcome your fears to accomplish goals. Teamwork is also really important. Just an all around great show. (Minus Scrappy of course!)

The Simpsons This show HAS to be on the list. It is the only show the entire family can all agree on watching, and it is something we watch everyday (thanks to Sky1 re-runs), all together.


So, what's on your list? Leave it in the comments, or shoot me an e-mail! :)

Migraine for Sale!

I'll even give it to you for free! I've had it 3 days and it hasn't broken yet, it's still in pristine condition.

If that doesn't interest you I do have a sinus headache you can borrow. (I'm rootin' for the migraine to win, just so I can have some peace for a little while from the vice-grip my head has become.)

I've also got some serious hay-fever/allgergies going on which are on offer, CHEAP!

Any offers greatfully accepted! (Leave a contact e-mail in the comments and I'll ship them right out to you!) ;)

Arrests in Chopper crash

Six people are being held by US forces in Iraq following the recent Copter that was shot down.

What I find most strenghtening in our continuing fight against the terrorists (they are NOT insurgents, they kill unarmed women and children at markets) is this:

A news release from Task Force Baghdad said an "Iraqi citizen told the soldiers he knew where the blue Kia pickup truck the terrorists used during the attack was parked and led them to the site.

"When the soldiers got there, several other local residents confirmed the first tip and showed the soldiers where the terrorists lived."

It appears the Iraqis are fighting AGAINST the terrorists. Not that this is the stressed part of the article, of course. It stresses the 'ongoing insurgency' with the sub-headline of Insurgents continue spate of attacks on security forces.

Why is it hard for the news to report TERRORISTS CAPTURED WITH THE HELP OF IRAQI CIVILLIANS? Too many words, too clear cut, toomuch to the point? Anyone that claims there isn't a media agenda is daft.

Pesach begins at sundown

Pesach, for my non-Jewish friends and readers is called Passover in English. It is the time of the year the Jews remember their slavery under Pharoah and their flight from Egypt to the wilderness.

Sadly, we will not be having a Sedar this year at our base chapel, but I wanted to let all my readers of Jewish faith know (and all my non-Jewish readers that are interested):

May the Prophet Elijah visit you tonight, and may he find your Sedar blessed. May your Charoset be sweet to counter the bitterness of the Karpas and Maror. May you know the bitter tears of slavery and the sweetness of freedom.

Chag Sameach! L'Chayim!


בשנה הבאה בירושלים

Letting the spit fly

Well as has been reported around the globe, and the bloggospher, Hanoi Jane was spit on recently. Up until now I didn't say anything because I don't think the spitter, Michael A. Smith, really did anything wrong. I'd probably have applauded him. (No folks, I am not very nice where treason is concerned.)

However, I wanted to comment on the act because of a few problems I've got with it. Some are demanding he face assault charges, which I'm against. He should have to face a fine (human spit carries many nasty things, just as a point of hygeine for me really), but I don't think jail time is in order. I fully understand this is up to the prosecution and the judicary in Kansas City.

I do wish he wouldn't have run. He did the deed, which she deserved so many times over...., but he should have stood his ground. If you're willing to do the 'crime' then you shouldn't fear the cops when they come to bust you. If you do that you're no better than the traitor Hanoi Jane, and no Vietnam Vet is that low in my opinion, no matter what their politics they've served their country. Which is far more then the traitor Fonda can ever claim.


Oh, and Jane we don't buy your 'sorry' after 37 years of shitting on the US military, their families, their service and their deaths at the hands of the Vietnamese you so loved (enough to sit on a gun used to KILL AMERICANS WITH). You were a traitor then, you're a traitor now. Bedidict Arnold isn't as disgusting a name as Hanoi Jane. I hope when you arrive at the 'pearly gates' you're denied entrance by a military color guard (and all the Jewish mothers you tried to blame for terrorism in Isreal)! You are nothing more than a 2-bit media whore who gives it away for free if you can get some dead Jews and Americans under your belt. You are lower than the filth of the Earth. Saddam Hussein, evil as he is, had a country to defend against Americans. You on the other hand took the freedoms those men and women DIED to protect for you so you could abuse and degrade them for more than 3 decades. Well, they and their supporters don't soon forget a traitorous whore who looks enraptured at those with American blood on their hands. I pray I never meet you, because tobacco juice is nowhere near the level of anger I would exhibit at your expense. My husband, as generations before him, are good enough to DIE for you, but not good enough for you to stop supporting their murderers. Ashamed of you walking the Earth doesn't begin to come close.

Mr. Smith, you did something millions around the world would have loved to do. Next time, stand tall when you do it. Those millions are behind you, count me as one.

Military News of Interest

To me at least...

Akbar is GUILTY. He deserves death at the hands of a hand grenade like those whom he murdered. I don't buy the mentally ill (dude had multiple grenades and a guns and shot at those that came to the wounded's aid, that shows premeditation). I don't buy the sleep apnea either. Both seem to have miraculously sprung up AFTER the murders, leaves them highly suspect.


A mourning Marine Corps family has won a legal victory to force Yahoo! Inc. to hand over their dead son's e-mails. Now, I can't seem to find WHY they want those e-mails other than as a memory of their son (if you can, please leave a comment, thanks). I don't see why Yahoo! fought it in court. What's the point? The man is dead, his family wants to have a 'piece' of him in effect, what harm could come of it? I can understand protecting one's private e-mails but at death, that legal protection stops, especially when the family of the deceased is the one seeking the information.


Fisher House needs your help! If you don't know about Fisher House and all the good they do for the US military, please look here. If you find it in your heart and wallet to donate, thank you. If you can't, or won't, donate please forward the information. [Note to all Military Challenge Coin Collectors, with a $30 donation, you'll recieve a special Landstuhl-Fisher House coin!]


Vicenza has honored their lost members of the Big Windy. To the families and friends of Maj. Edward J. Murphy, Staff Sgt. Romanes L. Woodard, Cpl. Sascha Struble, and Cpl. Daniel Freeman you are all in my prayers, and thank you is not strong enough to express my gratitude at their service and my pain at their loss.

Japan Appologizes...is she serious though?

In a move that seems designed to help ease the recent pressure between China and Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan said in part

"In the past, Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations".

"Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility. And with feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology always engraved in mind, Japan has resolutely maintained, consistently since the end of World War II, never turning into a military power but an economic power".

Now, that is a giant step forward, based as it is on a previous appology by another PM - Tomiichi Murayama. However, considering both he and Koizumi visit the Yasukuni shrine - where Class A tried, convicted and EXECUTED WAR CRIMINALS are intered with 'honor', has a nasty habit of making it seem Japan is doing with words what is expident, while with actions she shows her true beliefs. Add to this that another 168 lawmakers attended or were represented at the shrine this week and you may begin to see the sticking point.

The fact that a Japanese court recently refused a case brought by survivours of Japanese War Crimes doesn't aid even begin to address the problem.


I do believe Koizumi, and Murayama were serious in their apologies. However I think they were, and Japanese governmental behaviour since marks them as such, both personal apologies. Until Japan's government stops white-washing war crimes, starts telling the whole truth of WWII (who was the actual aggressor would be nice), and actually gives some form of official recognition of those crimes and attrocities, Japan will never truly be free from their crimes. May I suggest school text books as a good starting point?!? Also, target the Tojo is a hero crowd. Class A Executed War Criminals aren't what civilized people consider to be 'heros'...

[For those readers without a clue, I direct you to photographic evidence in the Rape of Nanjing (aka the Nanjing Massacre). These photos are not nice, are not pretty, but are war crimes that are not taugh to Japanese children. Counter that with how many American children are taught that the A bombs (which ended up saving more lives than they took - both Allied and Japanese) were War Crimes. Also remember that most of those photos were taken by the Japanese themselves (the beheading ones were actually used to hype up how 'strong' the Japanese commiting the acts were, and were published in Japanese news papers as good things). One can not now disown the photographic proof at their own hands. The photos are GRAPHIC and not for the weak of stomach and mind, or for clicking while at work! Abu Ghraib and a leash and panties PALE in comparison.]

It's all well and good the Japanese say Koizumi and the like are apologizing for everyone, but that isn't how it's worded. I'm a stickler for wording. If I say 'sorry' I'm not apologizing for the American people, the US military, or my family. I am apologzing for myself alone. The entire Japanese establishment, from the Emperor (who's father was the 'god' emperor who was far more involved than the Allies wanted known) down to the lowliest clerk. Make sure to let the historians in Japan in on the statement too..., no more 'US started WWII' crap, thanks.