For the sake of my readers who prefer to not waste time reading negative blogage I will point out that this one will be positive or at least neutral. ;-)

I use writing to sort out my thoughts and, as I have stated before to solidify my values as a human being. This time would be no different. We have completed the process of mobilization stateside with all its rough spots. Then we did it all over again at Ft. Hood because the first four times apparently didn’t count although they did make it slightly less painful. Not complaining just happy to get the show on the road.

My last few days in Colorado were really sordid. Lets start with the departure ceremony. I am a huge fan of drill and ceremony. Very little impresses me more then a well-groomed group marching together. The most nerve-racking thing would be marching in front of them to a little spot on the floor.

Let me describe to you the scene. We had flown in a Blackhawk to what used to be Lowry Air Force base. Piloted by yours, truly and Mr. Mike Fyola from http://www.rotorsoftherocki... target='_blank'>Rotors of the Rockies who just happens to be one of my Warrant Officers. We squeezed this big wale of a helicopter into a tiny parking lot just outside the old hangars doors. We ended up pushing the aircraft into the hangar because the tug broke down. Mind this tug was very old and probably hadn’t seen the light of maintenance in a good while so I think that was to e expected and naturally when you have a good 25 soldiers standing around what better to do then push equipment around.

We showed up the day the departure ceremony well rehearsed. 2 hours before the big dog and pony show the place is already packed. Bleachers are full and all the Family Readiness Group and Salvation Army food is gone. You have to love the Salvation Army they showed up and provided burritos and hot dogs for free and the Family Readiness Group Showed up to sell shirts and goodies. Awesome!

The hour struck and the soldiers marched their way into the hangar and took their positions on both sides of the Black Hawk. I looked out into the crowd and saw mothers grand mothers, sons and daughters some crying, some cheering.

Battalion!
Company!
Parade, Rest!

Then the speaking began. Chaplain, Deputy Governor, Gen. Whitney, Gen. Mills, Col. Pike, Ltc. Petty, Each with there own view of the surroundings. The one person I was hoping would speak did not. The State Aviation Officer Col. Best.

Finally some one put us “at, ease” and none to soon. My arms were permanently cramping behind my back. The formation was dismissed and the families and friends gathered and talked, took pictures and reminisced. I was fortunate enough to have one of my best friends there with his family. I grew up with this guy who just happens to be a Sergeant in the US Army. I mean we literally started out in Mrs. Judy Andersons Kindergarten class in Port O’ Connor, Texas. He has already made 2 pilgrimages to the sand box and will mostly likely see a 3rd.

I had invited a few others but for the most part they were unable to attend. No biggie. I still had the coming days on my mind so I was distracted. I gave them Sunday off.

The next week the pace quickened a bit. Botched travel arrangements would cause the majority to leave a day earlier. I gave those who had special circumstances a seat on the aircraft that was to be flown down and would leave a day later. Thanks to a few good friends I was able to make it out of my house ion time to leave. Man was that a rush!

Our arrival in Texas was uneventful. Hit the ground running is a good expression for it. We’ve been running ever sense. It will be nice to get a day off; I mean a complete day off and away from the military.

For now, I’ll keep on runnin.

As for other sordid issues I have lost a friend. Not to death or any such thing as this but to something unknown. My ex-significant other moved back home and is no longer speaking to me. No idea why she has taken this route but it sure made my last days in Colorado very awkward. I must tell you it’s very sad to loose a friend at such a tumultuous point in life.

Actually I am not even sure what to think about my last days at home. I met a lot of family members I had never seen before, shook a lot of hands and did my best to keep that smile. Not that it was hard but sometimes.

It’s good to be in Texas. Good to be closer to home; closer to San Antonio and Austin and Victoria and Port O’ Connor; closer to family and friends.

I’ll be stopping in soon. I’ll keep you posted.

Meeting Athena
Well, such is life. The lunch with Athena went about as I expected it to, I think. She showed up looking just as good as the day we met; a little different hair due but still the same good-looking women. The chatter was the usual. She seemed to talk a lot, more then she used to so I didn’t really get a word in edge wise. Probably a good thing. After lunch we walked out of the restaurant together continuing our conversation, which was now turning to my blog. In my previous blog I lumped her together with the rest of Boulder and she quickly pointed that out. I guess, once again, I have completely missed the point. As she continued to speak I knew the adding her to the Boulderite Community was right but the question, “How can you be so judgmental?” came up. I quickly responded with, “What constitutes judgment?” At this point I wasn’t going to take an argument that we have had time and again to the next level. I just let it go, so that I would cause any more damage to our already non-existent friendship. We parted with a hug that seemed rather cold at that point and she told me “not to be a hero” or do anything stupid.
It didn’t really seem as though it mattered. Needless to say I don’t think I accomplished what I wanted to at this lunch and I think it will be much longer before anything between us will be normal for me.

Attempt at Positivity
Athena made a point while we were speaking. She said she doesn’t read my blog because it’s too negative. When she mentioned which two she had ever taken the time to read I had to understand. I tried to explain that she had read the two most negative I had ever written but it didn’t seem to matter. Not that I am going to change my style or ease up on society but in the interest of repairing this tattered friendship and gaining some closure I will try and be more positive in my manner. For the record, no one I know thinks I’m negative and I like to think of my self as balanced. I take the bad with the good and do my best to make the bad, good. That’s who I am.

Boulder Bashing
Okay, I have to through this in just as another example of how off the map Boulder, CO is. I took some friends to the Pearl Street Mall on Sunday. It was a beautiful Sunday, the sun was out, street performers were doing their thing, and children were playing under the semi-watchful eye of their parents. Just a beautiful day in general…until.

Until a group of what I assume to be students who were, in their own words, were “putting a petition together to free Sadam.” I’m sorry what? I should have understood what this person was telling me because it was plastered on his shirt in the form of a picture of Sadam. I sat down on a bench to watch these students attempt to get signatures.
Then as if it were meant to be, one of them spotted me and headed my direction. He sat down and asked if I would sign his petition. I couldn’t help but play dumb and ask what it was for. They were attempting to send a petition to the UN for the release of Sadam Hussein because they “believed” that the charges brought against him were not all valid. He asked again. I said no and he inquired as to why. He had given me no reason to due so. He couldn’t help but agree. The conversation continued and I explained to him that Sadam had enough atrocities under his belt that it didn’t matter. He decided to leave and said I was entitled to my own opinion. I said, “As are you.”

More over on the subject and a little out of order, I stated the Sadam was being tried by his peers. He disagreed. Then I thought about it for a minute. He was right; Sadam isn’t being tried by his peers. His peers would be other ruthless dictators and it’s really hard to get those guys together for a court. No, the very people he oppressed are trying him, which to me is one of the fairest things in the entire world. Something else this student may have failed to understand is that when you are in a position of leadership you are responsible for those you lead their good and their bad choices. As far as Sadam is concerned, and this is a negative statement so those of you who wish to be positive can stop reading now, if and when he dies the world will be a better place. The atrocities he is responsible for have sealed his fate. You reap what you sew.

This will be the last one for about 2 weeks. The game is about to begin and I need a little practice and time to pack my gym bags. Wish me luck and I will be responding to your posts.