It's been a while since I last blogged, mostly because I don't feel like it, partly because I've been spending lots of time off base with Rachel. Who's Rachel, you ask? She's a vocalist with our band that I recently started dating and we are having a grand time together. But that's just one of the many developments that have been going on in my life.

Last week the Navy saw fit to require me to get a flu vaccination, which is fine, I really don't want the flu. However, they gave most all of us a nasal mist (live virus) "injection" as opposed to a shot, and now I have a cold with lots of sneezing and blowing of nose. Fortunately, my lady friend has insisted that I come over for dinner so she can make me chicken noodle soup and pamper me. So I guess I should count my blessings, I could be sick and alone.

As low man on the totem pole (and unmarried) I am currently living in the barracks on base. I recently found out that I may be able to move off base sooner than expected to an apartment only a block or two from the ocean and that is relatively cheap. Plus it is close to base (so I can start riding my bike to work, as soon as I get one) and not too far from Rachel's place.

One more thing is that I am applying for corrective eye surgery. Apparently it is much cheaper for the Navy to offer everyone surgery than repeated contact/ glasses prescriptions, so I'm going to take them up on it. I will probably be on a waiting list for a year or two, but it will be worth it. It would be so nice to wake up in the moring and just see. No glasses, no contacts. What convenience!

go to this site & enter your name in the box & hit the Sloganize button. DON'T CHEAT, KEEP THE FIRST ONE THEY GIVE YOU. Add your slogan to the bottom of the list and repost.

What's your slogan?

1. Nothing Sucks like a Sarah
2. Its a Dave Adventure
3. I'm stuck on Willow cuz 'Willow's stuck on me'
4. Whatever you're into, get into Jenny.
5. Have a Serena and smile.
6. Happiness is Missy-shaped
7. I like the ALEX in you!!
8. Better Ingredients, Better April!
9. Kills All Known Kevin - Dead.
10. Break me off a Piece of that Small Face.
11. Does She or Doesn't She? Only Her Kenny Knows for Sure.
12. Ho Ho Ho, Green Chris
13. Any Time, Any Place, Rya
14.The Future's Bright. The Future's Stacee .
15. Brandi Keeps Going and Going
16. There's always room for Mandy.
17. You'll never put a better bit of Amy on your knife
18. Wouldn't u like to be a Monica, too?
19. Show me the Chris!
20. Choosy moms choose Jeremy
21. Uh-oh, better get Crystal.
22. think once, think twice, think lelah!!!!
23. Get the Door - It's Angela
24.Schtop! This Heidi is not ready Yet!
25. Made in Scotland from Sandra.
26. The Bradley Effect.
27. Making Savannah Taste Better.
28. No Seneca, No Comment.
29. Nothin' says lovin' like Grant from the oven!
30. A Roger is Forever!
31. "Things happen after a Casey."
32. "A Day Without Jesse is Like a Day Without Sunshine"
33. Dan-It Looks Good on You
34. You deserve a Heather today!
35. Tonight, Let It Be Emily.
36. Wouldn't You Rather Be Keira?
37. Oh Hungry? Oh Stephanie!
38.Hope It's Molly, It's Molly, We Hope It's Molly...
39. Anytime, Anyplace, Jessica.
40. Wait Till We Get Our Heidi On You.
41. Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Anne.
42. There's no Wrong Way to Eat a Badbrad.
43. Have you had your Erin today?
44. My mama always said life was like a box of chaundra. "u never know what your gonna get"
45. You Can Really Taste The Mike!
46. I'm a Secret Terri Drinker.
47. A good Brandon has danish writen all over it!
48. Chocolate Ashley since 1911!
49. get the Jason habit.
50. How to make your lindsey stasinos water
51.Why Have Cotton When You Can Have Nick?
52. The Brandon Drinker's Lighter Brandon.

friendly cats
starbucks
e-mail from strangers that isn't spam
The Sooners
staying up all night, then sleeping in all day
70 degree weather in mid-November
80's music
random phone calls from old girlfriends
letters from my uncle
washing my car (I like to clean!)
seeing Mr. Adam Bill Adam Tribute
hearing Mr. Adam's students play
chocolate (that's for you, mom & chele)

I've recently made a new discovery in my life, the joy of weight lifting. Joy, you ask? How can expending so much energy and work be so rewarding? Well, joy might not be the best term to use but I do find this new hobby gratifying for several reasons. First of all I've always felt satisfied when I'm completely worn out after exercising. This was one of the highlights of studying Hwa Rang Do for so many years. You'd be absolutly wiped, barely able to move, unable to stand, completely sweaty and yet, oddly happy. Lifting can do this as well. Another great thing about lifting is the wide variety of exercises one can to strengthen the body. It's petty much to the point now where there's a particular weight, machine or movement that will work any muscle (okay,I know how all of your minds work. Not quite any muscle). And the best reason I love to lift is that it gives even us skinny guys a sense that we have muscles, too. After you lift and you're all "pumped up" (insert apropriate AWWnold accent), the guy in the mirror looks half way decent. I know, I know... it's a little vain, but I've practically been the same weight since I first started high school 15 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I've got no major complaints. But it would be nice to put on a little mass so that when I'm an old man I'm not just a bunch of skin and bones!

In by 1000, out by 1200. This job is great!

Drove to PA this weekend for a mini family reunion in State College. Got a chance to meet my cousin's husband for the first time. They live in Alaska so they don't make it down too often. He's a great guy and it was really nice to get to know for the few hours that we all got to visit. Also got to see numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and all the various children. It was really special to see Gradma's house filled with youg children again. Now I know what Marvin, Wayne and Dennis felt like when all the cousins would visit at Christmas time!

I as I reflected on the whole experience and discussed it with M, we both came to the realization that our cousins (both sides of the family) have married wonderful spouses and have some of the cutest kids. There are two of us left (out of 15?) who haven't found the right one yet, but there's plenty of time.

I must admit that seeing all the "grand-cousins" playing around the house and observing all the beautiful relationships that exist in my extended family has given me an even stronger desire to find the right gal for me and eventually have a family.

I'm not just looking for anyone though. I want a soulmate, someone to spend and share my life with. One that completes me. Someone to love fully, to share my thoughts, desires and fears with. Someone that I can trust and be vulnerable to and be the closest of friends and lovers. I want to be the guy who completely sweeps a girl off her feet, a guy who honors and cherishes his wife and provides a feeling of safety and security for her. I want her to know that she is loved and is beautiful to me. Someday......

But for now I must be content.