Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Some humor for a change
A man who dressed up as Darth Vader, wearing a black garbage bag for a cape, and assaulted the founders of Britain's first Jedi church was given a suspended sentence Tuesday. A person dressed as Darth Vader pictured at a launch of a Star Wars video game. Arwel Wynne Hughes, 27, attacked Jedi church founder Barney Jones -- a.k.a. Master Jonba Hehol -- with a metal crutch, hitting him on the head, prosecutors told Holyhead Magistrates' Court.
He also whacked Jones' 18-year-old cousin, Michael Jones -- or Master Mormi Hehol -- bruising his thigh, in the March 25 incident. Unfortunately for Hughes, the incident was recorded on a video camera that the cousins had set up to film themselves in a light saber battle.
"Darth Vader! Jedis!" Hughes shouted as he approached.
Hughes claimed he couldn't remember the incident, having drunk the best part of a 10-liter (two-and-half-gallon) box of wine beforehand.
"He knows his behavior was wrong and didn't want it to happen but he has no recollection of it," said Hughes' lawyer, Frances Jones. District Judge Andrew Shaw sentenced Hughes to two months in jail but suspended the sentence for one year. He also ordered Hughes to pay £100 ($195) to each of his victims and £60 ($117) in court costs. Barney Jones, his brother Daniel and cousin Michael set up the Church of Jediism, Anglesey order, last year. It claims about 30 members.
Jedi is the faith followed by some of the central characters in the "Star Wars" films. In the 2001 United Kingdom census, 390,000 people -- 0.7 percent of the population -- listed Jedi as their religion.
He also whacked Jones' 18-year-old cousin, Michael Jones -- or Master Mormi Hehol -- bruising his thigh, in the March 25 incident. Unfortunately for Hughes, the incident was recorded on a video camera that the cousins had set up to film themselves in a light saber battle.
"Darth Vader! Jedis!" Hughes shouted as he approached.
Hughes claimed he couldn't remember the incident, having drunk the best part of a 10-liter (two-and-half-gallon) box of wine beforehand.
"He knows his behavior was wrong and didn't want it to happen but he has no recollection of it," said Hughes' lawyer, Frances Jones. District Judge Andrew Shaw sentenced Hughes to two months in jail but suspended the sentence for one year. He also ordered Hughes to pay £100 ($195) to each of his victims and £60 ($117) in court costs. Barney Jones, his brother Daniel and cousin Michael set up the Church of Jediism, Anglesey order, last year. It claims about 30 members.
Jedi is the faith followed by some of the central characters in the "Star Wars" films. In the 2001 United Kingdom census, 390,000 people -- 0.7 percent of the population -- listed Jedi as their religion.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Death and deployment
White( a person whom I work worth) and I were talking. Both of us have a few deployments under our belt and never has anyone been seriously injured or died on those deployments.
However, this one has been quite the opposite. I have been here for less than 3 months and we have had 2 people die. Not from combat injuries because we are not engaged in combat here. But from natural causes. The first of which was a 21 year old Marine who's name I do not know died in the gym while working out from unknown causes.
The most recent of which passed away yesterday. At least we became aware of it yesterday. He was believed to have passed away some time before he was found. His service although not here was a memorable one. An honor guard of Airmen escorted the casket to the vehicle which would transport it from the hospital to airport. While the streets were lined with service members from the French Navy , Yemen Army, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen who offered their respects and final salute.
I did not know the man well but I did know him. I had the good fortune of sharing conversations and laughs with the man. His passing has been tragic with me although I do not know if it was because I knew him or what he represented. I cannot help but to look at the table we sat at with a new profound sense of respect and yearning.
War is a cruel monster in which we as a people have become desensitized too and I have come to fear the idea of 'what if the last thing you said to your loved ones was the actual last thing.' This is a tragic place and situation in which no one should have to die not having seen their loved one's in such a long time and yet so far away from them.
But just in case I love you Kim and I love you Mom. Thanks for being the greatest influences in my life.
Farewell and Following Seas Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Moore, Chaplain Corps, United States Air Force
However, this one has been quite the opposite. I have been here for less than 3 months and we have had 2 people die. Not from combat injuries because we are not engaged in combat here. But from natural causes. The first of which was a 21 year old Marine who's name I do not know died in the gym while working out from unknown causes.
The most recent of which passed away yesterday. At least we became aware of it yesterday. He was believed to have passed away some time before he was found. His service although not here was a memorable one. An honor guard of Airmen escorted the casket to the vehicle which would transport it from the hospital to airport. While the streets were lined with service members from the French Navy , Yemen Army, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen who offered their respects and final salute.
I did not know the man well but I did know him. I had the good fortune of sharing conversations and laughs with the man. His passing has been tragic with me although I do not know if it was because I knew him or what he represented. I cannot help but to look at the table we sat at with a new profound sense of respect and yearning.
War is a cruel monster in which we as a people have become desensitized too and I have come to fear the idea of 'what if the last thing you said to your loved ones was the actual last thing.' This is a tragic place and situation in which no one should have to die not having seen their loved one's in such a long time and yet so far away from them.
But just in case I love you Kim and I love you Mom. Thanks for being the greatest influences in my life.
Farewell and Following Seas Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Moore, Chaplain Corps, United States Air Force
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Tactical Aircraft
Some information for thought.
The last Air Force pilot ever involved in a real dog fight is coming up on his 2nd star. The same goes for the last Naval Aviator.
Back in Vietnam, Marines lost 1 tactical aircraft for every 6,000 missions. In Operation Iraqi Freedom our loss rate is 1 tactical aircrafter per every 1,500 sorties.
It's considered safer to fly fighter plane rather than helicopters.
The last Air Force pilot ever involved in a real dog fight is coming up on his 2nd star. The same goes for the last Naval Aviator.
Back in Vietnam, Marines lost 1 tactical aircraft for every 6,000 missions. In Operation Iraqi Freedom our loss rate is 1 tactical aircrafter per every 1,500 sorties.
It's considered safer to fly fighter plane rather than helicopters.
American Culture in Djibouti
Overall the general experience an American gets of Africa is reading National Geographic. However the Djiboutians here are Americanized to a degree. They receive BBC radio, Armed Forces Network radio and CNN so they know a lot of what goes on in American, England and France. American music is popular here.
What has me curious is how Djiboutian's handle the sudden public surge of homosexuality. Here on base one of the local Djiboutian's is gay and I mean to the eccentric point. The point where he wears his hat sideways, Dolce and Gabana sunglasses, Chuck Taylor's with fur interior linings. The word flaming has been used by people here from time to time. Especially after his serenade of "Scrubs" by TLC during the last karoake session. I have to wonder how Djiboutians relate to a person such as this. Especially the majority being Muslim and a small Catholic/Episcopalian population.
What has me curious is how Djiboutian's handle the sudden public surge of homosexuality. Here on base one of the local Djiboutian's is gay and I mean to the eccentric point. The point where he wears his hat sideways, Dolce and Gabana sunglasses, Chuck Taylor's with fur interior linings. The word flaming has been used by people here from time to time. Especially after his serenade of "Scrubs" by TLC during the last karoake session. I have to wonder how Djiboutians relate to a person such as this. Especially the majority being Muslim and a small Catholic/Episcopalian population.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Jeanne D'Arc
So yesterday for the first time in my life I set foot upon a surface ship that went to sea and was not a museum relic. It was an interesting experience. Not only that but it was a French warship. The Jeanne D'Arc(Joan of Arc) a helicpoter carrier that houses 8-10 helicopters and is a member of the French Training Squadron.
This ship's sole purpose is to take Officer's-in-training(Midshipman) a chance to go out to sea participate in real Navy exercises and get a feel for what it is like to be a Sailor. This ship is on a 6 month tour that started in December. Some of the comm and's most recent success involved the Jeanne D'Arc's successful attempt at thwarting some local Somali pirates.
What amazes me the most is the lack of security in the deployment schedules. Being a Trident Submariner we are not allowed to tell anyone outside of parents/spouses our deployment schedule and dates. But behold it all here I am sitting with a pamphlet that has the entire deployment schedule of the Jeanne D'Arc and what port it will be at and when it will be there.
It blows my mind!
But back to traditional submarine mentality. Another pamphlet has information on the Submarines in the French Fleet. Naturally I compared the French SSBN to American SSBN's. Here is the French stats:
Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) Le Triomphant class
Length: 138m
Beam: 12.5m
14,200 tons submerged
1 nuclear reactor, steam turbines, 1 electric motor 30.5 mw
speed of 25 knots with 2 crews of 110
16 M-45 strategic missiles
4 x 533mm weapon tubes for F17 torpedoes or EXOCET SM-39 sub launched anti-ship missiles
1 multifunction sonar
1 very low frequency towed array sonar
1 acoustic telemeter
SYRACUSE communications system
SET combat system
Now all I need to know is what they are having for lunch tomorrow.
P.S.
This is pretty comical
YN2 Hurt with his new French cover he acquired.
Pessismism and the ballod of life
I often joke with my wife that I am going to be a Polygamist and have multiple wives. All this originated with Ron Paul (the Mormon) running for President. The latest face to this joke is that my next wife will be a Djiboutian. Last night while at the EDG that I attend regularly now on Mondays. One of the boys told me that the women love me and I did notice some peculiar looks from some of the women that attend the school.
Things are back to normal in the aspect of my job. My momentary lapse of unhappiness with my rate has passed and sunk in. So much that I decided to bounce out of class after my quiz in order to participate in more positive things such as writing this and shortly afterwards reading.
My unhappiness with my rate comes from the fact that I find the work bland. It is the same thing day in and day out. No variety and more importantly I get no satisfaction out of it. What is the product of my work? A signed piece of paper that will be forgotten about for the most part.
Even the customer service facet of it reeks of horribleness. My CLU mate Pelfrey (who is a PS) and I figured out earlier in this IA what is one of the significant reasons people hate being in Admin. Our interaction is rarely on a positive note. When people come to talk to us it is because they have a problem. Something that needs to be fixed and most likely has already soured the mood for the day. Very few people come by just to talk and when they act like that is the reason they come by you later find out that they want something and are trying to be subtle about it.
I know the saying all to well “pick your rate pick your fate”. I think if I could I would have quit by this point in time, and I have another 2 ½ years until I can reconsider doing something else inside or outside the military. I just thank my luck stars that I have an understanding and compassionate wife who is willing to listen to my gripes.
Even this IA has been a sad disappointment. I agreed to it in an effort to advance my career prospects. However that hardly seems the case here at Camp Lemonier. I would be lucky to walk away with a lowly Flag Letter of Commendation. This place is hardly exciting, and leaves you with little free time to enjoy yourself or your surroundings. I do even less here than I would back at the boat. No matter how bitter I seem toward the boat environment I miss it immensely as of late.
Things are back to normal in the aspect of my job. My momentary lapse of unhappiness with my rate has passed and sunk in. So much that I decided to bounce out of class after my quiz in order to participate in more positive things such as writing this and shortly afterwards reading.
My unhappiness with my rate comes from the fact that I find the work bland. It is the same thing day in and day out. No variety and more importantly I get no satisfaction out of it. What is the product of my work? A signed piece of paper that will be forgotten about for the most part.
Even the customer service facet of it reeks of horribleness. My CLU mate Pelfrey (who is a PS) and I figured out earlier in this IA what is one of the significant reasons people hate being in Admin. Our interaction is rarely on a positive note. When people come to talk to us it is because they have a problem. Something that needs to be fixed and most likely has already soured the mood for the day. Very few people come by just to talk and when they act like that is the reason they come by you later find out that they want something and are trying to be subtle about it.
I know the saying all to well “pick your rate pick your fate”. I think if I could I would have quit by this point in time, and I have another 2 ½ years until I can reconsider doing something else inside or outside the military. I just thank my luck stars that I have an understanding and compassionate wife who is willing to listen to my gripes.
Even this IA has been a sad disappointment. I agreed to it in an effort to advance my career prospects. However that hardly seems the case here at Camp Lemonier. I would be lucky to walk away with a lowly Flag Letter of Commendation. This place is hardly exciting, and leaves you with little free time to enjoy yourself or your surroundings. I do even less here than I would back at the boat. No matter how bitter I seem toward the boat environment I miss it immensely as of late.
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