First off, I'd like to apologize for the long time in between updates here.  I'm still alive, still kicking ass and taking names and rocking on for the free world.

That being said, I'm sucking a little bit from a concussion sustained four days ago, so I'm sorry if this is more rambling and disjointed than normal.  My ability to concentrate has returned, but not 100%, and while I don't want to vomit constantly anymore, my head still hurts a bit. 

So anyway...

They moved me off the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and up to the M240 Medium Machine Gun.  The M249 is a 5.56mm light machine gun while the M240 is a 7.62mm gun.  Apparently I was doing something right as a '249 gunner.  While the M249 is lighter and much more mobile, the M240 is much more stationary, yet much more devastating. 

1.)The Ghostbusters wear Corcoran Jump Boots and get around in a ’59 Cadillac Meteor-Miller Ambulance. Jesus Christ wore sandals and got around on a donkey.

2.)The Ghostbusters once beat a Sumerian demi-god with minimal damage to equipment and personnel, unless you count being covered in marshmallow, blowing the top three floors off a downtown high rise and being sued by every state, county and federal agency in New York, and they did it all inside of two hours. God still has trouble with Lucifer several thousand years later and Lucifer isn’t even a demi-god.

3.)The Holy Spirit makes tongues of flame appear above people’s heads. Proton packs fix this problem.

1.)James Kirk can trust his crew to not fuck things up while he’s gone. Jesus Christ’s crew started the Catholic Church.
2.)Jesus Christ turned water into wine. James Kirk, given the uniform on his back, the boots on his feet, a universal translator and the mineral deposits and plant life on a planet, made a cannon out of bamboo, saltpeter, coal and sulfur and blew away a Gorn.
3.)Peter once cut off a Roman guard’s ear. Spock nerve-pinches people.
4.)When all seemed lost, Jesus cried to his father to take this cup from him. James Kirk grinned, flipped open his communicator and said, “Kirk to Spock, its been two hours. Are you ready?” to which Captain Spock replied, “Right on schedule, Admiral. Just give us your coordinates and we’ll beam you aboard.” James Kirk then stood, cocked an eyebrow at Lieutenant Saavik and said, “I don’t like to lose.”

I notice that no one seems to have much to say about Baghdad Entry 1. Perhaps that’s because combat is such an alien concept to everyone, they have no frame of reference. Maybe that’s for the better. They say war is hell, and I agree with them. My grandfather, a Korean War veteran, refused for years to speak about the war. When asked, he’d give a sad smile, shake his head, and say quietly, “Unless you’ve been there, you wouldn’t understand.” I agree with him. And honestly, I’m glad that you guys don’t have any frame of reference to compare combat with. Its not something I would wish on my worst enemy. But, fortunately, we’re definitely winning over here.

Quick definition – “Hadj” or “Hadji”. Technically a term of respect to a Muslim who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca. Informally, a derogatory term referring to local nationals in general, enemy combatants in particular, essentially the “Charlie” of this conflict.

Observing Hadji’s behavior during combat conclusively proves my belief that there is no god. To the best of my knowledge, coupled with the manner in which they fight, Hadj apparently believes that if it is Allah’s will that they should strike down their enemies, Allah will guide their bullets into the American infidels.

So I'm still looking. My team leader just gav me a book to read, "The Science of God" or some such. I haven't exactly had time to crack it and look at it, but my own lack of printed ammunition for this arguement is particularly galling. If anyone could suggest any books to throw back at him, that would be awesome.

Kuwait is a shithole. Its completely barren and lifeless. Well, that's not entirely true. I've seen three ants and one bird since I got here. Why anyone would fight over this dump is beyond me.

What in the hell would a god have to be thinking (or smoking for that matter), when they put together a shitstain on the planet's underwear like this? Or, is it possible, maybe just for an instant, that people can stop marveling at what they call "God's Creation" and realize that its not. Not everything in the world or universe is beautiful. Kuwait most definitely isn't. There is extremely little vegetation, just sand as far as I can see with my scope. And its hot. About 140+ degrees fahrenheit of hot.

I've had a life that's full
Everyone's been good to me
So fire up that fiddle, boy
And give me one last drink
When the sun comes up
I will leave without a fight
But the world is mine tonight...

Old John on his deathbed cried:
"Think I will wait 'til tomorrow to die
Sun is shining, birds do sing
This, sir, is no day to go"

Up and out the door

I've had a life that's full
Everyone's been good to me
So fire up that fiddle, boy
And give me one last drink
When the sun comes up
I will leave without a fight
But the world is mine tonight

Took young Molly by the hand
Spun her 'round and back again

After several days of hunting around, I finally found some of the Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan soundtrack, including the Battle of the Mutara Nebula, Genesis Countdown, and Commander Scott's rendition of Amazing Grace.

The sad thing is, I can quote the dialog during the Battle of the Mutara Nebula to the background music.

Fuckin' GEEK!

In my opinion, the Trek II soundtrack is one of the best in the series. I can easily envision myself loading my magazines to the Battle of the Mutara Nebula, its rather energetic at times, and at other times, while Enterprise and Reliant are meandering aimlessly around the Mutara Nebula, searching for one another, its very curious. Evokes an emotion of tense wonder, really. But especially when Reliant finds Enterprise and Admiral Kirk orders, "Evasive, starboard!" or when Enterprise finds Reliant the final time, rising into view from behind Reliant's stern, phasers and pho-torps at the ready, I can almost hear Commander Chekov arming the torpedoes, the chime of the activation, and so on.

Leave was interesting... And entirely too damned short. I couldn't get around to everyone I wanted to, but, hell, dem's de breaks, right?

Couple things were rather interesting, though. For instance, my mother bought me an M7 bayonet that's compatible with the M4 carbine, what I carry. The bayonet is an interesting tool, as its essentially a knife that goes under your rifle barrel so you can stab someone in case you run out of ammo. Also, my father acquired a 90 round ammunition drum magazine and an EOTech holographic combat weapon sight. Pretty choice gear.

Mom and Dad also picked up a Saint Michael's medallion. St. Michael, patron saint of Paratroopers and the original Death from Above, is a logical medallion to give a Paratrooper, yes, but an atheist? I feel odd wearing this medallion on my dog tag chain, but, seeing as how my parents did give it to me with the understanding that they respect my views, but they would feel better, I put it on my tags. Am I wrong to quail in this instance, to bow to a wish of my parents? They did say that they respected my views, and didn't expect it to mean much to me, but it meant a lot to them. Seeing as how they are concerned for my well being, I don't think it'll hurt to wear it. Now if only I could get my chest to stop bursting into flames every time the medallion touches my flesh...

Well, it is done. I did my SRP the other day. Sorry, but I don't know what SRP stands for, but I do know its pre-deployment stuff. Soldier's Readiness Program maybe?

Either way, I've asked to be cremated, my ashes spread at the Pennsylvania War Memorial at Gettysburg. My father will know where, exactly. I asked for SPC Keith Gillen, SPC Ryan Ellis, and SPC Charles Forstall to escort my remains home.

I came up with Ryan and Charles through Basic and Airborne and RIP. I met Keith at HHC, when I was assigned there. All three are great guys and I love them all like brothers.

I've also requested my officiate at my funeral. It asked for a minister of some sort, and I wrote down Brian Sapient. Brian, I'm sorry I asked for you without permission, really, but they asked rather suddenly and I didn't want to put down a priest or whatever. Honestly, though, I would appreciate Rook Hawkin's presence or Kelly's presence or anyone from the RRS to officiate at my funeral. I don't want a Pastafarian funeral, because that's a lighthearted poke at religion. I want a straight Atheist funeral.