Fat Kids Love Cake!

Ok so I Love Cake. A good friend and co-worker of mine told me this one day and it stuck. (and has sort of become my tag line here around work) I have to mention cake or something about "Fat Kids" everyday here at work. Between PT and just the daily grind of work everyday I have come to the realize that I am not as young or skinny as I once was. Trying to keep up with these kids during our morning runs might just kill me. But you have to press on and make the best of it.

The Waiting Game

There is an old saying in the Air Force "Hurry up and Wait". Well that is what I am doing right now. I have submitted my package to cross train into the Command Post career field. Although I like my current field it is that time in my career to do something different. I am currently waiting for a letter from my Commander to give me the go ahead on this process. Everything else is in and just waiting on that final piece of paper. Man let me tell you that this is the most nerve racking part of the process, well that and awaiting final approval from the folks in TX that give me the ultimate go ahead. But during this time I just sit here and listen to The Clash and think of days past and look forward to what could possibly be a new job.
Cross training into this career field opens so many bases for me because basically every base has a command post. I would love to get back overseas, but closer to the east coast would sufice.

Other than that watching Rugby on TV and hoping that the All Blacks (New Zeland's Team) takes the World Cup this year, and waiting for the first Bengals game tonight is all my day consists of. That and these senseless ramblings. Your Tax dollars -- hard at work.

15 Years of Service

1 Sep 1992 I entered the United States Air Force. On that date I started Basic training at Lackland AFB TX. Shock and Awe is a good way to describe Basic. Well after 6 weeks of being yelled at and learing the basics of being an Airman I was sent to Lowry AFB in Colorado for my tech school. This is where I learned my job as a weapons loader. Being a Load Toad (462) is an interesting job and in this career we can go to a number of bases. My first pick was to end up anywhere in Florida but much to my surprise I was sent to Elmendorf AFB Alaska as my first duty station. Elmendorf was cold and a huge first base to get stationed at and for the first 3 years I spent basically everyday walking 5 miles from the dorm to my squadron.
While at Elmendorf for my first tour I went to Korea and Canada and a few other spots around the world. Highlight of my career in Alaska was being able to get to know the area and see sites that I would probably never see again.(The Arctic Circle) I was also deployed to Aviano Italy during this time. Then after Alaska I was next sent to Shaw AFB in South Carolina.
Shaw AFB was a fast paced base with alot of my time spent off station. I spent 2 years and a couple days there and my next assignement ended up being Osan AB Korea.
Osan was a great time in my career. Thanks to Jack I was introduced to Hashing. The Hash House Harriers "A Drinking Club with a Running Problem" was a great way to kill time while on the ROK. Every weekend we would be running all over Korea and then drinking beer and just having fun. After a year I left Korea I went back to Alaska .
So it was back to Elmendorf for a 2nd tour. During this time I continued to be involved in the Local Hash House Harriers group and at one point in time I went back to Ohio to see my family and run with the Dayton Hash House Harriers. This is where I first met my to be wife Amber. I told her and her dad that night that she would move up to Alaska with me. (They Laughed at that one) But little did they know that about a year later I would be back in Ohio and after a long distance relationship that Amber and me would be married in Las Vegas while I was TDY to Nellis AFB in NV. A few weeks after the wedding Amber and Vanessa packed up their stuff jumped on a plane and flew to Alaska. A year later my son Schon was born at the Elmendorf Hospital. Soon after that we received word that we would be moving yet again.
Our next stop brought us to where we are today. Here at Luke AFB in Arizona. While here I have had a number of things go on. This is where I made E-6 (TSgt) I was able to work indepth with the Public Affairs office in putting together events for Air Force Week and our Air Show here on base. Also I received my Degree at ASU. So as you can see I have done a bit of traveling by being in the AF for over 15 years now. As I prepare to hopefully cross train in to another career field in the AF who knows where we will end up next. Keep your fingers crossed for me and pray that this cross training goes through.

That time of year.

Well it is that time of year. Football is on TV, The Rugby World Cup is on TV. Well for the next few weeks that is where I'll be, in front of the TV.
Go Bengals!
Go All Blacks!

Looking Back to Look Forward

Wow! My time at Ohio University feels like a life time ago. After reconnecting with some of my Sig Ep brothers it seems that I have come so far with my life. The days of living on Church St brought back a flood of memories. Leaving O.U. and joining the Air Force opened so many doors and life experiences that I would not give up for the world. My only regret is that I did not keep in touch with my brothers as much as I should have.
"Stork" was there when I met my wife. Most have heard that story so I won't rehash that one. But to read about where everyone has been and is going in life has been a great comfort to me and I now know that the decisions that I had made in the past were for the good. Looking forward I still have a bunch to accomplish. I have a wonderful wife and kids and it amazes me to see how quickly they grow up. I was browsing Ken's page and saw a birthday cake that said 37.. Are we really that old? Somedays it feels that way. Age has a way of sneaking up on you.
There are many loves in my life, My Wife and Kids, my Harley and of course the Bengals and sitting down and watching Rugby.
Don't be strangers keep in touch.

What type of person are you?

Well I found it! Probably the most dead on description of my personality. When I took the RHETI personality test I found out that I am a number 9.
THE PEACEMAKER
Enneagram Type Nine

The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type:

The easygoing, accommodating type. Receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent. Nines create harmony among group members by emphasizing the positive so that conflicts and tensions can be eased. They are supportive and inclusive and work with everyone, humbly allowing others to shine. They dislike conflict and division in the team and try to create harmony and stability. But, they may accommodate others and avoid self-assertion too much, becoming secretly angry as a result. They can deteriorate into ineffectual "make-work," stubborn passivity, and serious neglect. At their best, they are able to negotiate differences and bring people together in a stable but dynamic way.



What is this test you might ask? Well here is a link to the Enneagram Institue http://www.EnneagramInstitute.com/
They have a free personality test on this page and after I answered the questions I was able to see what my personality is. the great thing about this test is that you are able to see how you interact with other personality types. This can be a very useful tool in dealing with other people. Check it out and see what numer you are.

Enneagram Institute (n.d.) retrieved 16 Nov, 2006.
http://www.EnneagramInstitute.com/

Patriot Guard Riders

What a Great group of people! Every chance I get I ride with this fantastic group. Our mission statement is simple and we are here to show respect to those that have fallen in battle. No matter what RESPECT is the CAUSE.

Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

http://www.patriotguard.org/

Where did you go?

Veterans Day is quickly approaching. Where did you go? Paying tribute to our veterans is something that we must do as a country. Because with out them and their sacrifices we would not enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy. So please attend some sort of veterans Day parade or function and thank those that have given so much to ensure our freedoms and way of life.

http://www.azdvs.gov/

http://www.ci.glendale.az.us/

https://www.vetfriends.com/parades/directory.cfm?state=AZ

Luke Days

www.luke.af.mil/events/poster.htm

Ok something to talk about. Luke Days at Luke AFB in Glendale. What an air show we have for you. March 24-25 2007 Luke Air Force Base will be the place to be. Here are some blurbs from the page.

ABOUT LUKE DAYS
About Luke Days Luke Field was initially activated when advanced single engine flying training began on 7 June 1941. When the field closed on 1 November 1946 it had produced over 17,000 graduates from fighter training for the nation's war efforts. With the advent of the Korean Conflict, the need for fighter aircrews resulted in the reactivation of Luke on 1 February 1951, this time as an air force base. That same year saw the first Luke Day Open House held. The event was held to give taxpayers a look at how the Air Force was spending their tax dollars. In the ensuing years the event was held every other year with Luke hosting a Luke Days Open House one year and Williams AFB in Chandler, Arizona, holding a Willy Days Open House the next. With the closure of Williams AFB in 1993, Luke initially held the open house annually then switched back to hosting the event every other year. The last Luke Days event held was a record-breaker when more than 275,000 visited the sprawling fighter training base on 19 and 20 March 2005.

IN THE AIR
Luke Days 2007 will salute the past, present and future of American airpower. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, several single-ship military demonstration teams and some of America's top civilian air show performers will participate in this year's event...

ON THE GROUND
Air show fans will see hundreds of aircraft on display from a WWI biplane through WWII-era fighters and bombers to our military's current inventory of frontline fighters, bombers and transports, including the F-22A, America’s 21st century fighter...

THUNDERBIRDS
USAF Air Demonstration Squadron Stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nev., the "Thunderbirds" demonstrate the capabilities of the nation’s fleet of modern, high-performance combat aircraft and professional qualities of 530,000 Airmen who provide American air and space power around the globe...

So there you have it! Information on one of the greatest shows to come to the Valley in 2007. See you there!

Behind the power curve

From day to day we get wrapped up in the things we do and the past month or so has been that way. I have forgotten all about the Blogging assignments. Good thing that I looked on the discussion board to remember this assignment. Ok so Blogging -- well if is definately a waste of time if you ask me. Who in their right mind would want to read these words. Ok so I never really liked this assignment as you can see. I do not see a whole lot of relevance to reading the ramblings of people that I really do not know. Ok so you might make the argument that this is why we read them, to find out more about these people. But I don't see it that way. When will I run into these people and actually have time to sit down and talk about our useless ramblings? Never! So really why is the Blog so dang important? I don't think it is.
So that is my little rant for the day. I will try to get back in here and write more when I see fit or if all the sudden I have a real reason to Blog.

I'm outta here!