So I went home last weekend.  I was not wanting to go home.  This was a very short and unexpected trip.  On Wednesday I found out one of my friends had died and I decided to go home for the funeral.  I flew home on Friday.  The trip across country was long and tiresome.  I was up around 330 Pacific, and didn't land in Saint Louis until about 830.  After finally getting on the road to Springfield I got lost.  I thought that I knew how to navigate around there pretty well but I guess not.  After ariving around 10 I met a few friends for some dinner, we decided to get some sleep after dinner but that didn't work.  I didn't get any sleep and drove over 3 hours to the funeral.  The funeral helped.  I'm not sure that I would have been able to really come to grasp with what had happened with out being there.  After the funeral it was back to Springfield for and Irish Wake of sorts. 

After a little to much drinking and not enough sleep I went home to visit my family.  I had not been so sure if I wanted to go home but I felt that I was in Illinois that it would be a good idea.  Swimming, dinner at the Chapman's, and a few drinks at the bar seemed to be in order.  A good time was had by all involved, but no it couldn't stay that way.  Matthew, Dad and I were having a night cap at the house after the bar, and an arguement ensued.  Matthew got pretty pissed because I wasn't going to let him drive home drunk, and Dad picked on him a little bit.  He made a comment about him not being able to lift so much weight so he can't become a cop.  It was a harmless joke but MattBob decided to make a big deal out of it.  They then got to fighting because Matthew hasn't paid his phone bill but he went out and bought a new moped.  Dad's and my point was to make sure that he got his money staight because it wasn't good if he got behind on his, bills.  Sure he was called irresponsible, and this only made him even more mad, he got even more pissed at me because I was agreeing with Dad.  Matthew hasn't been home in a few days, soing how responisble and resonalbe that he is.

The good that I had this weekend was that I was able to see John and Melissa's baby girl, Nicole.  You can already tell they are going to be teriffic parents.  Nicole is a very cute baby and I'm going to love being her Uncle Christopher.  Plus I was able to hold her and she didn't cry for me, same can't be said for John. 

So while I was expecting to go camping over Labor Day it didn't happen, and the trip home to and emotional and physical toll on me.  I swear I aged a few years in that short trip home, but this is how life works out.  I may have lost a friend last week, but I gained a niece.  It just shows that you never show what life is going to throw at you, treasure each and every moment that you have with your friends, because it is never enough time, no matter how much you have with them.

Many of you all know that I am a political nerd, and that my true passion is for Illinois politics, so as i was doing my daily reading of the Capitolfax Blog I came about the question of the day, would President Lincoln have been elected today, because of his looks?

Since Lincoln is one of my heros, see the picture, this made me curious.  Mr. Lincoln as a homly looking person, certainly not considered attractive, even in his own time.  Many people place emphisis on someone looking "presidential."  I struggle with what this means at times but I think that it generally means that asstetics (please know what i mean i'm a lousy speller) play a large role in choosing a leader.  One of the best examples of this is the 1960 election, Kennedy v. Nixon.  Many believe that those who listened to the first televised debate on the radio believe that Nixon won the election.  Those who watched the debate however saw a handsom, poised Kennedy next to an ailing Nixon, who because he was sick may have appered to be sweating too much, uncomfortable on the stage, unconfident in his responses.  The conventional wisdom is this debate drove President Kennedy into the White House. 

I don't believe this is true.  While appearence may be one of several factors in deciding our Chief Executive I don't think it is the most important, nor is it even near the top of the list, look at how much flack John Edwards has caught for his $400 haircut.  Former Illinois Governor George Ryan is an "ugly man." Judy Baar Topinka is not an attractive woman, yet was able to be elected to state office several times.  Those currently leading in the polls in both primarys, Senator Clinton and Former Mayor Guiliani, aren't considered the most attractive candidates, yet they have the ideas that those in their parties are connecting with best.

So I believe that while President Lincoln may have paid for a stylist in this day and age that he still would have been elected.  He was above and beyond the candidate that the right ideas for the problems facing the nation at the time, and thank God that the electorate saw that then, and I hope they can now.

Give me your thoughts. 

This is for all of those who are being so damn nozy about my social life as one person likes to refer to it as.  when i call home i don't like one of the first questions to be about wether or not i'm seeing anyone.  If I were I would let you all know.  I'm not and I probably wont the whole time that I'm here.  It doesn't make sense to me.  There is a good chance that I'm leaving here in January.  This is not by choice but it is what I signed up for so there you go.  Yes I would like to stay here longer, only because it would keep me active duty and not because Lemoore is so awesome, but thats a rant for another time and place. 

And if i were seeing anyone you would all know.  Everyone knows that I don't hide things well.  I like to consider my self to be stoic, i would not like to show my emotions, but obviously i fail at that.

I know that there are people out here that think i like some one, well they are wrong. I also have people out here who believe that someone likes me and they are probably right, but i don't know.  you pretty much have to hit me staight over the head in order for me to get the hint, and then i probably still wont figure it out.

Anyways my point is that i'm tired of answering the question, so quit asking it.  No there is no one right now, and no there wont be someone for awhile i'm almost positive.  no i'm not upset over that one person, i moved on awhile ago, yes i know whats happening soon but i don't care.

and if there was someone i wouldn't be able to keep it a secret long, because those of you who talk to me or see me everyday can read me better than that.  i can't hide shit.

Well its more than halfway through the season, and I haven't been following the Cardinals as much as I like.  I do know that they aren't playing as well as I would like them too, or expect them too, but oh well.  One thing I do want to know is why the hell are they paying Kip Wells as much as they are.  He was a terrible investment.  I don't think that he'll be able to turn things around.  He has been pitching better as of late and I hope i'm proven wrong, but I think wells was a mistake.

Ok now for my take on Bonds.  I can't stand the guy.  I don't want him to get the record because I think hes an asshole.  He doesn't seem to play the game with any passion.  Doesn't seem to care that he has been given all this talent, talent that I would love to have.  He seems to take baseball as a job, something that he's good at, can make a living off of, but doesn't care about.  Thats why I don't want him to have the record.  As for the steroids thing hey they don't have any proof that he has done anything. so until they have some proof.  Shut up.

So I fell off the smoking wagon.  I was really hoping that I could drink and not smoke.  Then again I had a lot more to drink that I wanted.  But today is a new day and I'm smoke free.  Again, I know it keeps sounding like i'm repeating my self but one of these time i'm going to have my last cigarette.  I just hope I get to choose the last time that I have one, and not like Skipper Harris to me, "you'll have you're last smoke sometime, but you might not choose when it is because they have to take out you lung."  Plus if I'm going to convince my dad to quit in neede to be quit. 

This Wednesday is the first Independence Day that I will have spent in the Navy, and its had me thinking a little bit.  Since I can remember I've been facinated with the Founding Fathers, (I know that many people are calling them the Founders because its more PC or something but i think that is stupid.  I've never been very PC, this could potentially harm me when I decide to run for office).

when one thinks about the ramifications of what the Fathers were taking part in it is really heroic.  These men were putting their lives on the line for the belief in self government, for the belief that they should be allowed to pick their leaders and make their own laws.  This was something that was extordinary, considering this meant almost certain death for them.  Those who were on the battle fields certaintly understood that they were putting their lives on the line and that they had to succeed because getting caught by the British meant that they would be tried as traitors and put to death.  So if they did not die on the battle field they knew that they could not be caputred.  Those were were the leaders of the Revolution understood that the Revolution had to succeed, otherwise they would be killed.

Imagine if the war was not a success and the British kept the Colonies under their rule, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and the scores of other leaders of the Revolution would not be seen as heros rather as traitors.  They would be celebrated they would be reviled and most certainly would have been killed.

The gravity of the situtation their belief in self government, the fact that they should have a say in their government is something that I believe has been lost.  We are forgetting the Spirit of 76, most of us don't even call July 4th Independence Day, it is simply the 4th of July.  BBQ's are held, beer is drank and fireworks are lit, and I think that most of us seem to forget what the day is about.  The day is about the people having a say in their government, about the ideals that the Founding Fathers fought for, put their lives and reputations on the line for.

Our independence is no longer a matter of whether we have the ability to protect our selfs from forgien governments trying to come and take over.  We have the military and ecomonic ability to protect our selfs from that.  Our independence is safe-guarded now by those who participate.  Unfortunatly only about 1/2 of those who are of age to vote choose to participate.  The number of people who vote compared to those who are registered shows much better numbers around 70%, but the fact remains about 1/2 of those who have the right to vote choose not too. 

Decisions are made by those who participate, I know that I'm preaching to the choir to most of those who are going to read this, but if you feel that your government is tackeling the issues and you don't believe that the government is truely representative of who you are.  Ask you self why that is.  If its because you don't participate in the process then you have no right to complain.  To keep our independence safe and to make sure that to government is representative of the population then the people need to participate.  Safe-guard our independence, VOTE!

I haven't posted in a little over a month and so i figured it might be time for a new post.  I figured when I came back from cruise that I would be posting more often, then something happened, I procrastinated in purchasing the internet and my free wireless hookup moved out to town.  Luckily for you all I finally bought the internet on my own.

This will bring me to my first rant.  The company who I'm purchasing my internet from is taking advantage of me.  For this great connection, that isn't so great, and they are charging me $36/month.  I can't believe this it cost $20/month at home.  Why the Navy can't just hook up the barraks for free is beyond me, but it would be nice.  WIU gives those who are living in the dorms free internet, I'm defending out country, how about a little free net for me.

Another thing bothering me is that the Cardinals are defending their World Series victory so well.  I'm very disappointed this season, I should have known it was going to be a bad season when our big off season pick up was the illustrious Kip Wells.  So what can four million dollars a year purchase you?  2 wins, 11 losses and a 6.93 ERA, thats what i call money well spent.  Why they don't can his ass or send him to the minors is mind boggling, except for the fact that since so many of our players are hurt that the minors don't have many people to call up.  This is going to be a fun year i'm sure, but as always "GO CARDS".

I have been following the goings on in the world of politics too, not as much as I would like but enough.  I'm not going to say out right how i support but many of you have an idea. I do have some advice for former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney.  People are concerned about your religion.  I don't think that they should be but they are.  Go on TV, prime time and give a Kennedyesque interview about your faith.  This can only help you.  It will take the mystery out of your faith and maybe bring some of the evangelical support you are pining to get.

I missed my brothers 21st birthday.  This is a shame.  He needed someone to look up to and follow their example, and try to match drink for drink.  Apparently he didn't last too long, keep at it Matt Bob you'll get better.

I don't care if it is a dry heat or not, the weather out here in Lemoore sucks.  Don't tell me anymore that its not the heat its the humidity, because when its 110 it really doens't matter.  Thank God I work in an office.

Well all for now, back later, hopefully sooner than last time.

When I joined the Navy I had a list of things that I wanted to accomplish.  First and foremost was I wanted to serve my country and when I go to work everyday, or go out to sea I'm am accomplishing that.  Another thing that I wanted to do was to see the world, see places that I would possibly never see otherwise.  This last surge deployment let me do that, I will never forget going to Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, or even Hawaii.  These are places that I was unlikely to go to on my own.  Sure I may have gone to Hawaii at some point, but its not very likely. 

Another major thing that I wanted to accomplish during my time in the Navy was to further my education, and today I took the first step in accomplishing that goal.  I enrolled at Columbia College.  Columbia is based out of Columbia, Missouri and has satilite campuses all over the country, mainly at military bases.  I have about 1 1/2 years left on my degree, and do plan on earning it, Finally.

I spent 3 semesters at WIU, and looking back on it I loved it, i didn't always see it that way at the time.  I was struggling to stay afloat finacially, scholastically and emotionally.  Most of which I failed at.  My time at WIU was a struggle at times.  I went through a few emotional breakdowns, and couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with my life, after I decided that I didn't want to be a teacher.  Not to mention that I went some $20k in debt.  So things weren't going well for me but i made it though and ultimatley became stronger.  I made many friends at WIU, many of which I still have, and the friends that I followed down there we only became stronger friends.

Now I'm a Columbia Cougar, Ok so i'm really a Talon from VFA115, but I will always be a Leatherneck at heart.  When I finally do graduate from College I will have a degree from somewhere else but WIU will always be the school i identify myself with