tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57652932011-04-21T16:36:41.416-04:00Everything you wanted to know about my hum-drum little existance (or didn't want to know for that matter)Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.comBlogger901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-73480800147332349142008-06-01T22:56:00.002-04:002008-06-01T23:07:52.627-04:00

Whoops... Well it appears I've forgotten about this again. I could give a brief synopsis of everything thats happened since January, but I'm sure I've forgotten a thing or two.Work has been pretty much work, I still don't really care for my actual job, but I actually did something about it. I re-enlisted a while back, so I was able to officially change my job, so the Army knows I'm a real life

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-6871847558833535782008-01-23T11:43:00.001-05:002008-01-23T13:06:57.030-05:00

Okay okay okay... So yes it's been a while since I've posted anything. I've had a busy couple months. December I went home again for the first time in quite a long time. Got to see the family for Christmas, it was nice. I think mother probably weighs less than I do now. I swear I almost didn't recognize her at the airport!As soon as I got home from Illinois I turned around and almost

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-22635022904372930242007-10-26T08:11:00.001-04:002007-10-26T08:13:38.015-04:00

Wow, there's not much I can say about this next clip, it was sent to me by my dear friend Ron... crazy kid... Looks like a typical night at the office for me but in the Army fart jokes NEVER get old.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-37773555922406002642007-10-24T17:50:00.000-04:002007-10-24T17:56:07.514-04:00

You know, the District of Columbia never ceases to amaze me. I'm sure there are places around the world that might have more quirks or oddities than the District, but perhaps once I've discovered all of them I'll continue exploring, but for the time being I'm still being amazed by the weird things I see around this city. This example I've been looking at almost since I moved here, and it makes

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-81116936861056522582007-10-13T09:42:00.000-04:002007-10-13T09:54:51.910-04:00

So they finally sorted through all the pictures from the Army 10 Miler and I only found one decent one of me as I was just a few feet from the finish line.In other news... I MIGHT be moving sometime in the near future. The company that is trying to buy the building I live in now will supposedly offer very generous buy-out options to current residents once the sale is final. We shall see what

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-70493440947743229502007-10-10T12:03:00.000-04:002007-10-10T12:21:06.552-04:00

No, I haven't completely forgotten about this thing... Not like anybody reads this anyway...Anyhow as usual not a lot has been going on, went to Kings Dominion again this year, park was closed for a private event and it was still as crowded as a normal day. It was ridiculous, but we got to ride most of the fun roller-coasters. I swear I've NEVER seen that many morbidly obese people in one

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-15091328087795199662007-08-02T12:43:00.000-04:002007-08-02T12:53:07.227-04:00

Oh so happy to be home. I just spent the past two weeks plus a couple days playing Army up at Ft. Drum, NY. You'd think being that close to Canada it wouldn't be god-awful hot and muggy, but I guess since it was July, I was expecting too much. Don't get me wrong, it still got butt-ass-cold at night when I wanted it to be warm.So basically the school I went to was two weeks of basic training

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-24105689328001588202007-05-31T23:53:00.000-04:002007-06-01T00:05:13.871-04:00

Well we all know that vehicle safety is paramount. The easiest thing any of us can do to help protect ourselves or our roaming gnomes is by properly using a seat belt. Well I had parked my car and was hiking up the hill to my apartment when I passed this Jeep displaying how to properly protect your roaming gnome from injury.Well hopefully soon I'll actually have something interesting to write

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-83134125732390501582007-05-02T10:11:00.000-04:002007-05-02T10:19:50.866-04:00

I just love humorous graffiti! A few months ago I was walking past the grocery store in my neighborhood and on the side of the wall someone had spray painted "Sorry 'bout your wall..." I almost fell down laughing on the spot. Its hard to find graffiti artists with a sense of humor, so today when I saw this crosswalk sign, I had to snap a picture with my phone. I guess the camera-phone came in

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-40265750408419139712007-03-25T15:25:00.000-04:002007-03-25T15:42:54.925-04:00

It's officially spring and the weather is cooperating nicely. 62 degrees outside right now and they're predicting we'll hit 80 by Tuesday, I just might have to crank on the A/C.Today was hopefully the last of the boards I have to go to. This one was the DISA Enlisted Member of the Year. It was definitely setup differently than any other board I've ever been to. I was sitting in front of a

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-43169578683441471252007-03-06T15:38:00.000-05:002008-12-08T17:27:06.681-05:00

The past week or so has definitely been a busy one. Mother came out to DC to visit, this was the first time she'd ever flown, and I’d say she overcame those fears with flying colors. We did as much of the typical touristy stuff as we could. Toured the Holocaust Memorial Museum, then took the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument, walked down to the Lincoln Memorial, then over to the

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-59579470829579460662007-02-25T11:21:00.000-05:002008-12-08T17:27:06.851-05:00

Well, I guess I kinda shot myself in the foot by posting about the "mild" winter. Its snowing like CRAZY now, granted the weather channel is telling me this is going to turn into rain later today, ugh, I still don't know how this is going to turn out. Of course, first thing tomorrow morning I have to take a PT test. Never fails... *bangs head on wall*I snapped a shot of this dreaded snow from

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-45381895513982317102007-02-24T20:00:00.000-05:002007-02-24T20:30:05.395-05:00

Well I guess this has been a rather "mild" winter so far. We've had one good bout of snow here in DC, which didn't hinder my driving ability too much, but parking, now that’s a different story. A couple of days I gave up and decided to metro. Needless to say my car ended up being parked on a sheet of solid ice with a small mound of snow/ice separating my car from the street. 45 minutes of "

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-46948634448220914222007-02-10T11:35:00.000-05:002007-01-14T22:13:31.365-05:00

Having a free weekend is so nice. I slept in today, which means I slept until 7am instead of my usual 5am. I really should spend some time today trying to be somewhat productive around the apartment, but I don't know how well that's going to go. The place is still rather clean, but I think my friend Jeff would be disappointed if he saw the dishes, and empty pizza boxes and dirty clothes around

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-2392054656031544482007-01-14T21:12:00.000-05:002007-01-14T22:13:30.837-05:00

FINALLY transitioning from night shift back onto day shift. It's so nice to be able to sleep at night again, I was finally able to take down the huge ghetto blanket from my bedroom window. Thats about the biggest thing going on around here, other than I should be getting a promotion sometime around March (I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one). My life has pretty much consisted of work

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-3878433442362848412006-12-16T23:23:00.000-05:002006-12-16T23:30:30.439-05:00

Wow, my apartment is cleaner than its ever been! My friend Jeff came over today just to help me wash my PILE of dirty dishes, but when those were done and we went out for dinner afterwords, we came back here and just kept cleaning. The living room is spotless, the fridge is emptied out, and I found the floor in my bedroom! It's amazing, I just hope I can keep it this clean, I don't know how

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1162784952417970672006-11-05T22:36:00.000-05:002006-11-05T22:49:12.440-05:00

The past couple of weeks have found me in almost constant agony. It started one morning with a tinge of a sore throat and just progressed from there. Even progressed to the point where I broke down and went to the doctor, and oh how I hate going to the doctor. Anywho, after the first doctor appointment they diagnosed me with a pretty bad case of Strep throat. Of course the penicillin and pain

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1161370300728442182006-10-20T14:30:00.001-04:002006-10-20T14:51:40.743-04:00

So Wednesday afternoon I decided go to out for a little run. After I passed the sign that says "Welcome to Silver Spring, MD" I decided I should probably turn around and head home. By the time I hobbled back home I'd run almost 14 miles, granted I have to admit that I walked the last mile or two because I was so dehydrated and my knees were screaming in pain from the abuse I'd just put them

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1160436156344480122006-10-09T18:55:00.000-04:002006-10-09T19:22:36.356-04:00

Yesterday "Beef Stew" aka SGT Cole and I went to 6 Flags for the beginning of October Fright Fest. If it weren't for the fact that it gets cold and signals the start of fall and winter, I would love October. Halloween is always such a fun holiday and time of year. Well I think between the hours of 1pm and 10pm we rode EVERY major ride/roller coaster in that park! Such a great day, I have to

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1159827789904948592006-10-02T17:47:00.000-04:002006-10-02T18:23:10.043-04:00

This is my mother, 60 pounds lighter. I'm glad she sent this, I was beginning to worry that the next time I get home I wouldn't be able to recognize her. In this picture alone my mom looks so much better than the last time I saw her, I'm just so happy she's making such good progress. Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll be able to get her to go out on a run with me!In other news I have the

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1159320896594144982006-09-26T21:34:00.000-04:002006-09-28T19:20:55.440-04:00

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1159315736083530402006-09-26T19:43:00.000-04:002006-09-26T20:08:56.096-04:00

Wow, I really have nothing to write about anymore. I seem to have worked myself into a rut already. On the bright side, I got about a 10 mile run in the other day, granted it wasn't on purpose. All I wanted to do was go out run from my apartment, up to the naval observatory, do a lap around there and come home. Well once I got to the backside of nav-obs I got myself lost. I somehow ended up

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1158536794897304492006-09-17T19:17:00.000-04:002006-09-17T19:51:44.466-04:00

I feel like I've been working non-stop for the past couple of weeks. Finally had a bit of free time, so I ended up going down to Kings Dominion in VA with a couple of friends. I think there was maybe one rollercoaster in the park we didn't ride. Kings Dominion has some amazing coasters as well, three of my favorites are the ones that feature compressed air launch, or linear induction

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1157157796842787652006-09-01T20:33:00.000-04:002006-09-01T20:43:16.853-04:00

Well, I went for a run in my very first tropical depression today. Just a day or two ago it was sunny and hot outside. Not anymore, I walked outside today to go for a run and it was damn near fridgid. While I like running in the rain, this was just cold and nasty. Once I got up on the berm along the river, it was nearly impossible to keep running. Being pelted in the face by the tiny hail,

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1156958719592723922006-08-30T13:24:00.000-04:002006-08-30T13:25:19.603-04:00

I'm a Porsche 911!You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it. Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1153702028809334172006-07-23T20:30:00.000-04:002006-09-26T20:32:59.346-04:00

Well I can't be disappointed when I never expected the Cubs to win to begin with. I went to the Cubs vs. Nats game this afternoon, and I couldn't have asked for a better day for a baseball game. It was a nice sunny afternoon, temps in the low 80's and a nice breeze. The Cubs did manage to get one run in, which was suprisingly after I mentioned to my friend that I would be so happy if they just

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1153172180303656462006-07-17T17:25:00.000-04:002006-09-26T20:34:41.940-04:00

The heat in Arizona was always so much bearable than it is here. Upper 90's with high humidity, I don't want to leave the apartment. In the grips of quite a heat and crime wave here in the greater DC area. The most recent murder happened a little too close to home for my tastes. Just a couple nights ago someone was stabbed to death just two blocks away from my apartment, I wondered why there

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1152298453238117692006-07-07T14:41:00.000-04:002006-09-26T20:37:00.760-04:00

It's getting to the point where I can't remember the last time I had more than one day in a row off. Today is my day off, almost 3pm, and I've finished 5 loads of laundry, eaten lunch, and ankle deep into Star Trek as usual. The 4th of July was wonderful, I had to work all day, but G4 TV was having a Star Trek marathon. Thankfully I was working with the one and only other "trekkie" in our

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1150767430406588322006-06-19T21:32:00.000-04:002006-09-26T20:38:57.676-04:00

Okay, so I went and saw The Omen yesterday, and its been a while since I've seen the original, but from what I remember it appears they barely even bothered to rewrite the script. It was still a good scary movie, but I mean come on, if you're standing on a chair three flights up and you have to reach for something, listen for the ominous music. If you hear ominous music playing in the

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1149874733992100402006-06-09T13:25:00.000-04:002006-09-26T20:40:23.336-04:00

Nothing new going on around here. Had a mini high school reunion earlier this week. Aaron was in town before he takes off with the Peace Corps, so he and I went and walked around the zoo all day on Monday. It was so disappointing, not a single animal popped for us! No masturbating monkeys, no feces throwing orangutan, what a waste of a day! Okay okay, the zoo was actually really nice, those

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1149118227432485692006-05-31T19:17:00.000-04:002006-09-26T20:41:56.970-04:00

Oh goodness, I had today off work, which was a blessing. These 12 hour shifts are really taking it out of me. Although I feel like I spent most of my day off working. Woke up this morning and drove my car out to the Saturn dealership in Alexandria, she needed an oil change, and I wanted them to try to fix that poor driver side window. You wouldn't believe what a hassle it is to have to open

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1148607753584316382006-05-25T21:11:00.000-04:002006-10-09T19:25:39.493-04:00

Well, not a whole lot has happened since the last time I wrote, with the exception of two parking tickets, fighting with the DC vehicle inspection facility, getting rear-ended at a stoplight, fishing the drivers window out of the door with four hands and a cork screw, and a most wonderful 2nd date, undoubtedly the highlight of my week.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1148241548586229172006-05-21T14:52:00.000-04:002006-10-09T19:27:57.710-04:00

Well, its been almost a month since my last post. I've started "shift work" which is prooving to be quite interesting. Somehow I've managed to get three days off in a row, I think I'm going to spend most of it being "domestic" trying to get this apartment straightened up, oh how I hate washing dishes... On a brighter note, I had another first date a couple of days ago. Yes, I'm getting my

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1145576162300954732006-04-20T19:13:00.000-04:002006-10-09T19:28:30.220-04:00

Oh yea, just another blah boring week. Work is work, as always, lots of studying, all kinds of other wonderful stuff that makes it feel as though my brain is going to dribble out of my ear by the end of the day.Social life... I guess I kinda have one, still don't have many friends out here, really only three or four people I consider real friends. One of my best friends from high school will

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1144976449028792842006-04-13T20:26:00.000-04:002006-10-09T19:28:55.866-04:00

So so sick of this, I guess it was STUPID of me to get excited that I might have actually met someone nice. Well, needless to say that phone call never came. Why should I be suprised? Why should my feelings be hurt? I should be used to this kinda shit by now. Plenty of wonderful 1st dates, but the 2nd never materializes...

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1144026313005734462006-04-02T20:44:00.000-04:002006-10-09T19:30:03.016-04:00

Oh what a day... what a day.... :)Met someone very nice today. So refreshing, went and had a lovely walk around the mall, all the cherry blossoms in bloom, just having such nice, casual conversation the whole time. I think I've had this quirky smile on my face ever since.Hopefully I'll get the phone call for a 2nd "date" if you want to call it that. We shall see what happens.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1143253433744212002006-03-24T21:11:00.000-05:002006-10-09T19:31:19.146-04:00

The past couple of days have found me in a rather "blah" mood. Haven't figured out why yet... I love where I work, but the job I'm being stuck into is just not for me, it's going to drive me insane in no time. Where as the job that I would excel in is just beyond my reach. Of course do you think there is anything that I can do about this? Nope, I've already tried.Anywhoo, spent some time

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1142110847074892182006-03-11T15:44:00.000-05:002006-10-09T19:55:03.350-04:00

Within the last two days the weather here in DC went from cold and nasty to downright beautiful. Friday I had to take the metro in to work, and on my walk from the metro station to the navy base I broke a sweat. My boss was nice enough to give me almost the whole day off after I got there and finished up a little bit of paperwork for all my inprocessing.Friday night one of my friends and I went

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1140833779350983922006-02-24T20:55:00.000-05:002006-02-24T21:16:19.386-05:00

Its a Friday night, 9pm, and I'm already in bed. After going out and drinking way too much the past two nights, I'm exhuasted, I need a day or three to recover. I think I'm getting old. Oh well, like I said, I'm tired, I'm going to bed. Going to be a short post, maybe I'll actually keep this updated now days. We'll see.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1138380647711205842006-01-27T11:42:00.000-05:002006-01-27T11:50:47.760-05:00

MOVING DAY!!!Well kinda. The movers came on Wednesday and packed up all my worldly belongings save my laptop, cable modem, and whatever I was able to cram in my car to keep them from packing away without my knowledge. But yes, this afternoon I should be hitting the road for the long journey back to Illinois. I've come to hate that drive, but I think this time it might be a little different,

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1138240186007439642006-01-25T20:30:00.000-05:002006-01-25T20:49:46.060-05:00

Farewell Arizona....Well after a good three and a half year run living here in southern Arizona it's time to move on. It's odd, I've gotten very used to Arizona, all the quirky weather of this messed up state. I'd even begun to think of it as home. I've made a lot of good friends here, friends I hope I will be able to keep in touch with long after I'm out on the east coast, enjoying the life

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1129235898018185302005-10-13T16:16:00.000-04:002005-10-13T16:38:18.066-04:00

*yay* back in my own bed finally! Got back from Egypt very early this morning, now I just have to get my body back onto Arizona time. I also have to get used to eating real meals again. The last two weeks we were in Egypt I don't think I had one real meal or more than a small snack to tide me over. When we moved down to the air-base the last couple days we were there, I managed to find a

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1128160799948066772005-10-01T05:40:00.000-04:002005-10-01T06:00:01.630-04:00

Suprisingly the sunburn from yesterday was not as bad as I expected it to be. After spending most of the day working outside, sweating my ass off to the point where my brown t-shirt was white with salt stains, I was very happy to get the usual cold shower over here. Still nobody knows when we're going home. We've been given a range of about 10 days and told that "you will be going home between

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1127986850347448672005-09-29T05:26:00.000-04:002005-09-29T05:40:50.353-04:00

Alrighty then, I know its been a couple years since I've touched this thing, and I don't know if there is a soul alive who still looks at it. But I'm bored, so I'm going to write something anyway. Perhaps I should just use this site as I visit various deserts around the world. Today you can find me in Egypt. Thankfully far less dangerous than Iraq, but still not a whole lot of fun. As far as

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1071421703132259002003-12-14T12:07:00.000-05:002003-12-14T12:09:12.700-05:00

Oh, by the way... Today is the day we caught Saddam... A lot of people walking around with smiles and breathing just a little easier.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1071421445541530062003-12-14T10:56:00.000-05:002003-12-14T12:04:55.170-05:00

Well, our time over here is getting short. Each day that passes is one more day closer to home. Morale is starting to improve somewhat. Yes, I'm very excited to finally see home, but I think I've been over here so long that I will probably miss this place in some way. Perhaps I've just been over here so long I'm just becoming institutionalized. Either way, things are getting better, the

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1070690704610766642003-12-06T01:02:00.000-05:002003-12-06T01:05:45.873-05:00

Wow, I think we're going to have to consider this the great flood of `03. Its been pretty consistent with the rain coming about every other day now. Just enough to make everything muddy as hell and flood our trailer, and last night we almost had water running into the door of our office. December is definately an interesting month out here. *climbs up on roof and looks out into horizon*

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1070253650468237292003-11-30T23:31:00.000-05:002003-11-30T23:41:26.436-05:00

December is officially here. Its turned cold, rainy, and nasty over here. Which I've found is rather nice compared to what this past summer was like. The end of our stay in the middle-east is growing very near. We all are starting to get very antsy and showing signs of "short-timers" syndrome. I've already started packing a few bags, straightening up a few things, just to make those final

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1069992962606085752003-11-27T20:07:00.000-05:002003-11-27T23:16:35.763-05:00

Another holiday has passed, seemed to be just another day to me over here. Had some decent turkey and ham and mashed potatoes and all the good stuff for dinner last night. I found that after only 4 hours of sleep, a good Thanksgiving dinner just doesn't have the same appeal as it normally would.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1069307243854205392003-11-19T23:03:00.000-05:002003-11-20T00:47:48.653-05:00

*Sigh* So for any of you who may not know, yes, today is my birthday. Over here it's just another day. I will go to bed in a couple hours and sleep away most of my day, then get up and come back to work as I always do. Same-ole routine as any other day, except now I'm apparently one year older. Oh well... I did get a wonderful package from my mother the other day, three big bags of her

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1069190417298839412003-11-18T16:10:00.000-05:002003-11-18T16:24:22.280-05:00

Wow, so its been a while since I've been back to update this. Weather over here is starting to get brutally cold. Yes it's probably only down in the 40's or so, but when you go from 140 degrees just a month ago, that drastic of a change warrants the use of the term "brutally cold." No, still no word on when we're coming home, things are getting hopeful though. Just gotta train up a few of

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1068392057816160952003-11-09T10:18:00.000-05:002003-11-09T10:42:13.750-05:00

Last night was a beautiful evening for eclipse watching. From what I had read in the news we weren't going to be able to view it over in this part of the world. But I stood outside for a few hours and watched the moon completely disappear, then slowly re-appear. Its not like I've never seen a lunar eclipse before, and I don't know why it is such an awe inspiring event. When you stop and think

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1068181196918841622003-11-06T23:32:00.000-05:002003-11-07T00:03:41.683-05:00

I keep getting emails and letters from people asking what I want and or need... I don't know how to respond. The things I want and need can't be provided in a box with a few stamps on it. All the necessities for life are provided over here, granted a few more toilets that actually FLUSH would be nice. But I have a place to sleep, food, and clothes... What more do I need out of life? Some

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1068084314148150892003-11-05T20:38:00.000-05:002003-11-05T21:06:11.193-05:00

Okay, after a day of fighting and struggling with my iBook, I emerge victorious. Why all of a sudden she wanted to be a pain in my ass, I do not know. Thankfully I was able to get through this ordeal with only minor data loss, which ended up being birthdays from my calendar, and all my precious bookmarks. Eh, oh well, I'm sure I will find other interesting websites to visit, and as I forget

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1067979576716412562003-11-04T15:43:00.000-05:002003-11-04T15:59:34.566-05:00

Yet another long night ahead of me... I think I woke up around 7:30pm today, then just kinda laid there in bed staring at the ceiling not wanting to get out of bed until about 9pm. Bed was so warm and comfy, I could tell that the world outside of bed was not warm and comfy, but cold and drafty. Then the dreaded urge to pee took over, and forced me out of my warm and comfy bed. After that

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1067753043112441352003-11-02T00:15:00.000-05:002003-11-02T01:04:02.060-05:00

Cold weather seems to be here to stay. It's definitely a nice change from the oppressive heat but I don't know if I have enough warm clothes if we're going to be here for a while yet. Finally got my copy of Goldeneye in the mail last night. Which was good for keeping me occupied for one evening. Now I need to figure out what to do tomorrow night.... Any suggestions? Oh well, hopefully a

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1067490762333585172003-10-29T23:48:00.000-05:002003-10-30T00:12:37.323-05:00

Day #2 of the great cloud invasion is here. Perhaps my luck will hold out and we will break the two day streak of luck from a couple of weeks ago and go a whole three days with some beautifully overcast skies. COLD as ever last night too, my feet and hands are freezing again. Hands have returned to their whitish/bluish/purpleish that they are during the winter months back home. Granted I was

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1067409548279028062003-10-29T01:22:00.000-05:002003-10-29T01:39:07.236-05:00

HOLY SHIT!!!! CLOUDS!!!! AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE!!!!!! I don't know what to do!!!! Now if we could just manage to squeeze a little rain out of these clouds I would be one happy camper! Oh well, I should shut my mouth and be happy with what I have. Hopefully we can at least keep these clouds around for a few days...

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1067395393868465052003-10-28T21:17:00.001-05:002003-10-28T21:43:12.810-05:00

I've been sitting here just staring at the wall for quite a while now, I didn't realize it was almost 5:30am. I can't wait to go to sleep this morning. I've been sleeping pretty well lately, but I find that is the only time I get to be alone anymore. More rumors are circulating about when we're going to be going home. I learned a long time ago not to listen to, or at least not to get my

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1067300255919913482003-10-27T18:47:00.000-05:002003-10-27T19:27:40.830-05:00

My father's birthday is arriving quickly. Trying to find birthday gifts for parents is never an easy thing to do. Especially now that since my shopping choices are rather limited. But I believe I was able to find something he will like (and hopefully it will arrive before his birthday!) I received another email today from the documentary folk. It will probably be 2004 before they start

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1067141364815477852003-10-25T23:52:00.000-04:002003-10-26T00:11:32.386-04:00

*Looks around* Yep, you'll all be happy to know that all the little green lights are still busily blinking away. You should see it in here without any of the lights turned on, its like Vegas with all these blinking lights. Another rather uneventful night down, who knows how many more to go. I just hope they stay at least somewhat uneventful. I actually had trouble staying awake tonight. I

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1066974498952869172003-10-23T23:59:00.000-04:002003-10-24T01:48:18.400-04:00

There are days that I do get suprises over here. I was walking back from breakfast and strutting along the bank of our little "pond" here was a white long-necked crane. This is definately something I never thought I would see in the middle of the desert. Quite a beautiful bird, just walking along looking at the murky water. I couldn't help but laugh to myself, such a gorgeous creature looking

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1066809114817546292003-10-22T03:14:00.000-04:002003-10-22T03:51:54.236-04:00

Aaahhh, sleep... Who needs it? This is LAUNDRY DAY! YAH FOR LAUNDRY DAY!! So yea, I'm sitting here fighting off the demons of sleep so that I can retrieve my laundry from the dryer in a little over an hour. I know if I don't stay up, I will have relatively little luck of ever finding my clothes again. Last night was a night where anything that could possibly go wrong, most definitely did.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1066542443543822342003-10-19T00:44:00.000-04:002003-10-19T01:47:23.043-04:00

Rainy season seems to be in full force this year. TWO, count them TWO whole overcast days, I'm in HEAVEN. I believe that just yesterday morning we might have acculuminated a whole 6 or 7 drops of rain. A torrential downpour like that again could wipe this place clean off the map! I think I'm going to get started on my own Ark just in case. Can anyone send over a few nails? Maybe a little

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1066443477617058712003-10-17T21:43:00.000-04:002003-10-17T22:36:14.226-04:00

Okay, its been a few days. Nothing has happened in the past few days of any importance. Suprised? Probably not... Finally have some internet access down in the sleep trailer, so I can spend even more time online than I already do. I used it this morning, it was nice to be able to sit and chat with a couple of friends from bed. Oh how I miss the good ole days. I don't know if being able to

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1066112580430258472003-10-14T01:52:00.000-04:002003-10-14T02:23:00.280-04:00

Got an email tonight from a friend who I haven't talked to in quite a while. Always nice to get those. Well, trying to do any meaningful writing now is pointless... Everyone has come into work for the day, and the average IQ in the room has dropped to about that of the floor tile... Witless insults are being thrown around like candy at a parade, and then there is my biggest pet peeve of them

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065926203985951002003-10-11T21:50:00.000-04:002003-10-11T22:36:43.600-04:00

Writers block has me by the throat tonight. I've been sitting here for the past hour staring at this blank screen trying to figure out what to put down here. There is nothing worthy of writing about. I went to sleep, got woken up a couple times, took a shower, then came to work. Its the same dull boring routine I go through almost every day over here. On the bright side I did somehow manage

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065848573315118902003-10-11T00:40:00.000-04:002003-10-11T01:02:53.440-04:00

Whelp, the sun came up a couple hours ago. Sounds like the Cubs won another game. Hopefully their luck will hold up this year. One of these days I'll make it to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. I've never been a huge sports fan, but Wrigley Field and Chicago in general have always had a certian place in my heart. I can't explain it... Not much is happening in the Middle East as usual (for me

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065737758975588332003-10-09T15:42:00.000-04:002003-10-09T18:15:58.900-04:00

Well, the mood for today hasn't improoved much over yesterdays mood. Although I think I'm finding that the influence of certian people around me does make my mood worse. Oh well, not much longer here (said hopefully). I am really looking forward to getting home and just being able to sleep at NIGHT, and get a full nights sleep, uninterrupted, and restful. Maybe even do that a couple of days

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065650817763858442003-10-08T17:25:00.000-04:002003-10-08T18:06:57.820-04:00

I slept most of the day today, but yet I'm in one of those overly fatigued blah/depressed moods where nothing seems to matter. I've spent about an hour or so already trying to remember the last time over here I was actually happy, and I can't seem to recall. I don't know if there has been a time when I was happy being over here. I am still strugging with the questions of what makes the United

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065485923168666642003-10-06T19:53:00.000-04:002003-10-06T20:18:43.056-04:00

Will this damn cold never cease? It is getting better though. I just wish I knew which part of my head and chest it was going to attack from day to day so I could properly prepare for battle. One day I have snot running from my nose as freely as the Mississippi runs, the next I'm coughing so hard I feel like I'm going to pull a muscle (but my nose isn't drippy anymore!), and now I've got a

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065295431320429682003-10-04T14:37:00.000-04:002003-10-04T15:23:51.183-04:00

Roses are red Violets are blue Oh my, lump in the bed How I've missed you. Roses are redder Bluer am I Seeing you kissed by that charming French guy. The dogs and the cat, they missed you too Barney's still mad you dropped him, he ate your shoe The distance, my dear, has been such a barrier Next time you want an adventure, just land on a carrier. Written for First Lady Laura Bush by

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065153111571045942003-10-02T22:10:00.000-04:002003-10-02T23:52:48.056-04:00

Okay, remember what I said just the other day about movies that make you think? Well, I just watched one, and yes it most definately did make me think. It was a documentary, I know many of my friends have already seen it and use it as a basis to chastize me for my current career choice. I can understand their viewpoint when based on that movie. I made this career choice on my own, knowing

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1065034927719381572003-10-01T14:02:00.000-04:002003-10-01T15:02:07.793-04:00

Yeah, okay, I haven't been as good about writing on a regular basis as I had hoped I would be. But when there isn't anything going on, its difficult to find things to write about. Any of you who chat with me throughout my night/your day should know that things of any importance rarely happen over here. I did receive a package from my parents today, filled with junk food and a couple DVD's. Dr

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1064693322049863802003-09-27T15:35:00.000-04:002003-09-27T16:08:42.090-04:00

What a boring week. I wish I had something interesting to write about, but there is just nothing worthy. One of my friends burned a stack of music CD's for me and sent them over this week. I am very much looking forward to getting those. Most of the people I work with on a day-to-day basis listen to nothing but rap and R&B which I have learned to deal with, but after a while it gets very old

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1064256642838214272003-09-22T14:40:00.000-04:002003-09-22T14:50:42.260-04:00

This morning was promotion time for yours-truly. I have officially abandoned the world of Privates, and am now a Specialist. I feel taller already (for those of you who do not know my sarcasm, that was a perfect example of it). I was rather disapointed that my promotion did not happen sooner. There are a few people from my team who left within the past few days who I would have liked to have

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063997730739316772003-09-19T14:31:00.000-04:002003-09-19T14:55:54.980-04:00

Don't EVER get into the gun-control debate with a close friend. For that matter, don't talk about abortion, religion, homosexuality, race relations, or anything else that might be slightly controversial. It makes life so much easier if you just sit around and stare at one another in complete silence. Quote of the night: "I like puddin... but not in a sexual way." - Larry

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063947284820110882003-09-18T23:36:00.000-04:002003-09-19T00:55:08.453-04:00

A package arrived for me last night. Low and behold it was the jeans and khaki cargo pants I ordered from American Eagle. I can finally wear some civilian clothes on the weekends and feel at least somewhat human. The one pair of jeans I did have out here, I managed to rip a HUGE hole in the knee. Then... the next time I put them on, I made the hole even bigger. The past few nights around here

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063748565783832122003-09-16T17:41:00.000-04:002003-09-16T17:42:45.606-04:00

So two muffins were sitting in the oven. The first muffin looks over and says "Damn, its getting hot in here." The second muffin looks over in suprise and yells "Holyshit a talking muffin!"

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063489203969592132003-09-13T17:39:00.000-04:002003-09-13T17:40:04.003-04:00

Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod aapepr, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Sopkoy huh?

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063421799871748762003-09-12T22:00:00.000-04:002003-09-12T22:59:10.530-04:00

Will the bad movies never cease??? Tonights feature was Son-in-Law. Which is as much as I'm going to say about the movie. Knowing who stars in it should tell you all you need to know. Supposedly today we are having a "Cookout" which I will most likely sleep through again. I'm not overly disapointed. Many of you who know me probably know that I'm not a very social creature. Standing around

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063320427925216812003-09-11T18:38:00.000-04:002003-09-11T18:47:07.863-04:00

One bad movie deserves another?? Another review of a movie you should NOT watch. Dracula II. I must say I did like the scene where the large chested blonde bimbo woman tried to fly out of that second story window. Then after her dumbass friends buried her in the back yard she gets up, kills a cop and gets killed by the "priest." Pretty active for a dead blonde. And of course, if you're going

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063255030195407232003-09-11T00:29:00.000-04:002003-09-11T00:37:34.010-04:00

Another long night not quite over with. Yea, the sun is coming up, or I think it did that a few hours ago. I don't know, I've been locked away inside this building most of the night. As usual nothing of any importance going on around here. I did receive an email from one of my teachers from High School. She is one of the few I keep in contact with. And I really think that because of her

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1063164284706655622003-09-09T23:24:00.000-04:002003-09-09T23:24:44.730-04:00

The next president of the United States: We will have a half black, half mexican jewish lesbian as president. Her name will be Shaniqua Manuel Goldstein. She will wear tight wranger jeans, have a mullet, and lots of dangly kitty earrings. The presedential limousine will be replaced by the presedential pickup truck. She will also have a cute (not-so-petite) blonde, girly girlfriend named

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1062966728316895012003-09-07T16:32:00.000-04:002003-09-07T16:33:54.183-04:00

As usual, nothing of real interest to write about. I watched an absolutely horrible movie today. I should have listened to my father when he told me that the book was MUCH better than the movie. But did I listen? I just finished reading Starship Troopers, and its been years since I've seen the movie. Yes I remember the movie being horrible at the time, but I couldn't remember WHY it was so

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1062881209035627812003-09-06T16:46:00.000-04:002003-09-06T16:46:48.940-04:00

Ok, this will be my first post using my new iBook which has finally arrived. Some of you may know the saga of my iBook, first one bought off ebay. Never arrived. Most likely stolen in transit. Second one (this one) ordered directly from apple. Shipped, arrived. *yay* So yea, I finally have something to help keep me occupied at night. So far, with the little time I have spent with my new

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1062708939717175822003-09-04T16:55:00.000-04:002003-09-04T16:55:39.580-04:00

I would like to appologize to any cricket lovers out there. For our friend the cricket.... is now a stain on the bottom of my boot. He was trying to be a sneaky little cricket, but I was able to outwit my opponent. As I entered the back room the cricket chirping ceased, I walked out of the room just past the doorway and he resumed his chriping. I stepped back into the room, and it ceased

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1062705744810789042003-09-04T16:02:00.000-04:002003-09-04T16:02:24.713-04:00

I will find the cricket... I will destroy the cricket... Victory will be mine...

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1062701885024091612003-09-04T14:58:00.000-04:002003-09-04T14:58:04.856-04:00

Aaahhh, listening to Tom Sullivan sit in for Rush Limbaugh today. Its been a while since I've gotten to listen to some talk radio. I just wish I could find a site to stream Michael Savage, now that guy is HILARIOUS! Got myself a full shower today!! *yay* But of course the generator for my trailer shut off again for a good half hour. Oh well, still managed to sleep. I get to take tomorrow

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5765293.post-1062632151744555482003-09-03T19:35:00.000-04:002003-09-03T19:35:51.720-04:00

Alright, here goes nothing. I've seen these all over the place, have become addicted to reading about the adventures of many of my friends (and some people I've never heard of) so I figure it's time for me to start my own little publication. No, my new iBook has not arrived yet. I'm becoming quite anxious. Working night shift over here becomes rather boring after the first 5 minutes or so.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16276651321919208505noreply@blogger.com0