Will he ever shut up?!?!

(For a couple more weeks anyway).

Well here I stand on the cusp of being done with this string of midnight shifts...three hours to go in this, my last shift. Oh happy day!

It's been pretty busy the last couple days...got a little wiggle room now. Of course, ones overall attitude on the 7th of 7 midnight shifts tends to be slightly below the attentive level, thus my taking a minute to post to the blog.

Haven't decided if I'm going to muscle it out and just stay awake the rest of the day, or attempt a nap. I don't have Bethany today since Deb is leaving for work early this morning (before I get home) and she usually goes next door for at least a couple hours during the afternoon of my last mid (so I can get a little nap). There's a million things to do of course, but is there enough to keep me going all day long. I need to mow, clean the garage, get my truck up to Indian River to the spring place. I wouldn't mind a round of Golf and a bike ride either. I guess I'll play it by ear.

Should be a fun but busy weekend. Some friends are coming over for cards on Friday night, and sometime between Saturday and Sunday, we need to go on a date (Deb and I) and I'm going to try to go fishing with my friend Rich. Monday and Tuesday, I am going to my first professional golf outing. The "Treetops Par 3 Shootout". This year, it's Mickelson, Travino, Zellor and Couples and should be just an awesome good time.

Monday or Tuesday, Deb and Bethany will be leaving to go back down to Kentucky for an extended visit, so I'll be bacheloring it again. We don't have on single drop of rain in the forecast for Gaylord for the next 7 days!!! Although that doesn't necessarily mean anything, I dare say I'm going to be in for a round or 5. Sure, this all sounds fun...but I would honestly rather have my girls with me. It's pathetic, but I'm a sap...I love my girls and can't stand to be away from them. I think that's why I keep so busy when their gone...oppress the loneliness!

At any rate...I better cruise. Got to get a lot done if I want to get out of here on time.

God Bless,
K~

He, just last week, returned the spare tire to me he was going to borrow for "A couple days"...Yeah, that was in February. Technically, it wasn't even my tire. He said he noticed I was driving my truck more lately, so he "stole" a tire from his brothers truck for "me to use" until he got mine off his Bronco. OK Joe, So you jacked up your brothers truck, pulled off a tire for me to use, until you get mine off your truck? Did the thought cross your mind to put that tire of your brothers on your Bronco and return my tire to me while you had the jack out and handy? Then we could forego this hole tire swapping scheme that will surely take until NEXT June to accomplish!

Whilst (there it is again) we're on the subject of RNJ: We thought we were making progress last week (after the county has invoked the nuisance ordinance on RNJ concerning no less than 12 non-functional vehicles in his front yard). He moved four vehicles (including the big panel truck) to the back yard! We thought it was in response to the 17 neighbors who daily report to the township about the mess in his yard, but then the next day we see the trailer of an 18 wheeler parked out on the road. He (and his 8 months pregnant wife) are unloading boxes upon boxes into what was the vacant space left by the now absent vehicles.

"Whatcha' doing Joe?" I inquire. "Oh, got a BIG job" (Joe relapses light bulbs in commercial properties), "Thar's 50 thousand Bub's here!".

(All in cardboard boxes with rain on the way...someone shoot me now please!).

There's no winning with this guy...oh well.

L8er,
K~

As far as Sundays go whilst on midnight shifts, this one went well. Whilst...does anyone use that word anymore? Whilst...That's a darn fine word, yes sir.

Anyhow...After narrowly escaping the shift alive, I began this fathers day childless. Deb and Bethany were downstate with Grammy & Papa. Gotta keep those grandparents happy doncha' know. Actually, it was pretty nice to start this string of shifts with a quiet house. I've got some of the best "graveyard" sleep on this string, than I've got in recent history. A decent 7 hours each day so far. For those who have never been rotating shift workers...you never really "sleep" in the traditional sense, you kinda just "lay with your eyes closed and breath heavy" as my brother puts it.

It's a very delicate dance. You can't go to sleep to soon after work, otherwise it becomes more like a nap and you wake up after a couple hours feeling great, but then never get more than another nap later in the day...so you head off to work with a total of 4.5 hours of sleep, which is barely enough rest to ensure your involuntary functions (such as breathing) continue uninterrupted.

On the contrary, you can't stay up too late or else you catch a second wind. Then when you try to go to sleep, you lay there staring at the ceiling getting increasingly more frustrated as the clock ticks the hours away, thinking "OK, If I fall asleep now I can still get 5 hours before I need to get up"..."OK, If I fall asleep RIGHT NOW I can still get 4 hours of sleep...". Then, sure as the sun sets in the west, an hour into your sleep, it's time for Redneck Joe (neighbor across the street) to fire off an M-80, bottle rocket, or test drive that mini bike with no muffler that he's been working on for the last three years, but never seems to get running until he has no less than 7 beers in him and insists on yelling "Yeeeeehawwwwwww" as the "Ol' Girl" surpasses the 6 mph threshold. Geez...you'd think he broke the sound barrier or something.

I'm convinced, Redneck Joe will be the first hillbilly to unintentionally orbit the earth. He's the stereotypical, "You ain't gonna believe this sh**", "Hey Boyd, hand be that jug of gasoline!", Marlboro Red smoking, shirtless in a leather jacket, God Bless Hank Jr., Budweiser drinking, butt crack showing, 8 months pregnant wife out mowing the grass and unloading the firewood trailer kinda redneck. You know, card carrying!

Anyhow...what was I talking about? Oh, sleeping. Yeah, it's delicate alright, but it's been decent on this string. So I got home this morning, and knowing I wouldn't survive the hour I had to wait to leave for church without passing out, figured I'd go out for a bike ride. It was a nice crisp morning, about 50 degrees and sunny. Church was nice (I stayed awake!), seen some friends, said some prayers...I'm good 'till next Sunday now (that was sarcasm). Seen my Buddy Mark (I know you've been over to marcusthebronco.blogspot.com haven't you? You'd better!!! What the heck are you doing here!?!? Go read something with some meat to it instead of this mindless dribble. Go! Now!!!

At any rate, I'll give him a call this morning when I get off work and we'll go do something. We'll drive around in Big Red, go down some two tracks, tell some jokes, smoke a cigar and chalk it all up under the banner of "Christian Fellowship". I know that it's supposed to be "as steal sharpens steal" but with Mark and I, it's like...Cashews accompanying Almonds. We're fine separately, but curiously interesting when combined (and technically, both nuts!).

Gotta Go!
K~

Alright...Tracey Lawrence is outta here. I decompressed with some "Live" and now have got a little old school Alison Krauss playing. All is well in Midnightville. Y'all have a good day!

K~

Anybody who has read my thoughts in the past will realize the posts below are not put together terribley well. I'm on midnights right now, and for whatever reason, my brain refuses to engage on this shift. I encourage you to check out the some of the archives on the left, where I have some older musings that seemed to have struck a chord with folks in the past.

But for the time being, I'll just need to stumble along in this intellectual fog that is my life for the next 7 days. It doesn't help that I'm working with a country music fan (using the word 'country' very loosely here) on this string. I mean, not any of the decent stuff either. We're listening to the likes of Alan Jackson and Tracey Lawrence...eee ghads...I'm chewing like 4 pieces of Nicorette just to keep from screaming.

This is the kinda crap that makes one angry...folks at work here think the likes of Project 86, Chevelle, Stain'd sound angry or insite anger...that stuff soothes me! It's this whiney, faux-country that gets the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Osama is lucky he's not with in arms reach...I could snap his neck like a chicken bone at this moment....AAAAGGGGGG! SOMEONE SAVE ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!! (man, this guys voice is annoying). There's 6 more songs on this CD...I don't think I'm going to make it.

Gotta go to the bathroom...a little time with the Sears Tool catalog should soothe me some.

Later,
K~

My friend Marks blog is at marcusthebronco.blogspot.com

He's insightful, articulate and well educated.

OK, well actually, he's a closed minded, demented moron...but I love him anyway!

(Just kidding Mark) Seriously...check him out.

People are still pissed about the naked pictures of Iraqi prisoners (which are horrible) but seem to have brushed off the brutal beheading of another American. Whatsupwiththat?

Apparently, this man was not only beheaded, but then posed pictures were taken...they set his head on the back of his lifeless body, jammed a knife in his eye and then took pictures! WHO COULD DO THIS!?!?!?

What's more, is this man was, if not converted, in the process of becoming Islamic. He had been living in and working in Saudi Arabia for years. His family said he considered Saudi his home and he loved the people.

Make no mistake about it...this murder was a racist murder. This man was brutally murdered for the simple fact that he was a Caucasian, and just happened to be born in America.

No one wants to compare the war against terror to WW2, but why not!?!? What was Hitler doing? Trying to eradicate a race he thought to be a cancer on the earth (the jews). Sound familiar? These people think we...not our government, not G.W.B., not just Christians...ALL of us, YOU and ME are a cancer and want to eradicate us. That is FACT.

And now Vladimir Putin has released information he shared with US intel (after 911 and long before gulf war II) that states Saddam was planning strikes against (and inside) the U.S.A.. The CIA has IN CUSTODY terrorists that admit to having sought after WMD from Saddam, and yet a good portion of Americans are not supporting the current administration and the war against terror. WHY?

Do these ignorant people think that for some reason, an Islamic terrorist wouldn't do the same to them just because they don't support GWB? THEY (the terrorists) DON'T CARE!!! They just beheaded a human being that had dedicated his life to living and working amongst them! It is no different than the ignorant KKK attitude toward blacks. Klansmen want to destroy a people because the color of their skin...same thing. You're white (black, red, brown...it don't matter), you were born in America, they want you dead...end of story.

It's time people. Support the only administration that has dedicated itself to fighting this evil, or shut your piehole.

Keith

The labels "Conservative" and "Liberal" have completely lost all relevance in terms of politics in this country. They really make no sense when used in terms of political stance or Republican vs. Democrat.

If you're true to your all encompassing world view, how can you be labeled either? From a secular view point I would be considered not only "Conservative" but probably (another label I find laughable) part of the "Religious Right". My Christian brothers and sisters would consider my standards radically liberal (Anything is permissible for me, but nothing shall be my master). To go into details would be too lengthy for this forum, ask for clarification if needed. So where do I stand? What am I? A "Conservibal"?

What was Jesus? Today, his followers are almost exclusively labeled as conservatives. In his day, he was considered by the conservatives of the time (Pharisees & Saducees) to be terrifically and radically liberal. These dudes lived and died by their laws, such as dietary and cleansing laws. He called them out on the carpet about most of their personal standards. He would probably be considered (back then, but in today's terms) to be a tree hugging, granola munchin', full fledged hippy.

But he never really insisted or mandated that people drop their personal convictions or standards...just that you remained true to your God in all you did, whatever you did...and to love others while you did it...the true show of love: to put someone else's personal standards above your own.

What do so called liberals preach? Open mindedness? Sure...unless your asking them to honor someone else right to express their religious views, unless your asking them to honor someone's constitutional right to bear arms, unless your asking them to honor the Constitutional mandate that ALL men be given the RIGHT TO LIFE (abortion ignores this mandate), etc. Yes they'll honor your opinion or perspective, providing it's the same as their own...otherwise it's off to court.

It's time to play WWLD (what would a "liberal" do). A man stands in a peaceable manner in a public forum holding a sign that states "Jesus is Dead". Well...he's got the right to voice that if that's what he believes. You can not oppress free speech. That's his view and even if he's wrong, he is protected by law to voice that view point.

Now: A man stands in the same manner in the same forum holding a different sign that reads "Allah is Dead". Hate speech? Inciting hatred? Oppressing Islam? Violating the civil liberties of others?

More factual: A church group displays a religious scene in a public forum on a religious holiday of a baby purportedly birthed by a virgin mother. ACLU must mobilize because someone (surely we can find ONE person) who is offended by this and may be made uncomfortable.

OK...turn about is fair play. Jesus touched lepers, ate meals with sinners, emphathized with prostitutes, hung out with drunks, etc. How come so many of his people vehemently abuse gays verbally, some physically (though I would argue anyone that physically attacks someone doesn't know Jesus). Or why is it that homosexuality is viewed as so much more terrible then drunkenness, adultery, lying, obesity, etc. Sin is Sin...period. And we are ALL guilty of it...EVERYONE! We all have our hang ups, why are we busy pointing out slivers in someone else's eye, when there are planks in our own. I am not sympathizing nor do I agree with the political movement of gays in our culture. I'm just shedding a little light on the fact that God is just as unhappy with your judgment of a person who struggles with homosexuality, as he is the homosexual. He's just as unpleased with the fact that I don't know when I've eaten enough pizza as he is with the guy that's had 1 too many beers.

I know it's hard for our human, ego driven minds to accept that, but it's true folks. It's nice to be able to look at others and think, "Gee, I don't have THAT problem, I'm not as bad as that guy."...it's comforting. It helps us think we're doing something right. But it's WRONG. Billy Graham, Pope John Paul, Mother Theresa and Ronald Reagan have not/will not/can not earn their way into heaven. It's just impossible, and that's a fact.

On the same premise, neither the so-called liberals or the so-called conservatives have all the answers and are any better than the other. ALL of us need to live by the golden rule...to love others as ourselves. That includes not dictating to me the way I should live my life. I am going to celebrate CHRISTmas on CHRISTmas. I'm going to own as many guns as I want. I'm going to tell whoever I want to about Jesus wherever and whenever I feel moved to do so. If they don't want to hear it, they can ask me to shut up...and I will. I won't walk away thinking, "Poor sinner, maybe someday Lord willing they will be as good as me." (I think God would have more respect for the one who spoke their mind and told me to shut up).

Anyhow, back to the political...We have obviously now learned it to be false, the idea that when so-called Conservatives are in control of multiple branches of government, that the size of government as well as spending will be down. That's funny (this coming from a Bush supporter). Yes, we are in a time of war and defense spending is astronomical, but numbers show that domestic spending is higher than it's ever been as well.

The vast majority on both sides of the aisle have not been raised like you and I. The VAST majority of politicians on both sides don't have the first damn clue of what it means to work for a living, to struggle to find a way to pay for college, to not know if you're going to have enough money to make a car payment or feed your family. There are barely any of them left that have served in the military and put their service where their mouth is. It's easy to send boys into battle if you don't have an intimate idea of what battle is like. And I, as a veteran, am also offended by equally unknowledgable college students protesting a war they will never fight...pick up a gun and support your country, or shut your pie hole.

Now to contradict all this "no one should tell someone else how to live" business, (you'd think I was a liberal) I'll say:

The bottom line folks is this...let's stop looking to these politicians and so called leaders to rectify things in our country. Turn off the TV and talk to your neighbors. Expose yourself to as many different view points as there are, get in touch with God and let him lead you to your own personal standards, then live by them. No one likes a phoney, and every last politician is one to at least some extent. Decide what is best for your family then hold YOURSELF (no one else) to that standard.

Well, what was to be a political commentary has turned into a sermon. I'm sorry about that, but folks...the question for the ages is: When are we going to stop what we're doing and start listening to the all wise words of the great prophet Hank Williams Sr. as he so perfectly put it, "Why don't you mind your own business...'cause if you mind your own business, you won't be minding mine!".

Amen Hank, God Bless you!
Keith

This was in our local paper, from a local soldier who is currently in-country. It needn't any commentary.

Keith


To the Editor:

Lately I have been reading letters that have been written condemning the Republicans for the recent problems here in Iraq. I have to say that neither the Democrats nor Republicans are at fault. It seems that it's easy for those of you back home (enjoying the freedom I provide) to point fingers and say how senseless this war is. Face it, you are not here and you don't know what it's like. You listen to our wonderful media tell how bad it is here and how the Iraqi people dislike us so much. Did the media mention the 10,000 person march in Baghdad several months ago supporting our presence here? Did the media tell you how many humanitarian projects we have completed in this theater of operations? Listen to what they say, but do some investigating on what the truth really is.

Contrary to popular belief, we didn't invade Iraq for its large quantities of oil. We came to Iraq to relieve the current regime of their weapons of mass destruction. Unfortunately, none were found. But we did oust a dictator who had been oppressing the population for more than 25 years. And in my opinion, that is the best thing that could have happened in this region. These people now know what freedom is.

I have been here in Iraq since June of 2003. After nearly 12 months, my unit and I are awaiting redeployment back to Camp Grayling. Let me tell you a few things that I learned while I spent time in Mosul and Kirkuk. Contrary to what the media says, the normal Iraqi citizens are glad that the United States liberated their country. We have put a great deal of money into an already depressed economy. You should see the gates in the mornings. Iraqis are lined up, waiting to come to work to get something they haven't had before ... a paycheck. We've rebuilt cites, the infrastructure and given the normal citizen something to look forward to.

I've dealt one on one with normal citizens for almost a year. They appreciate everything we have done. This war cannot be compared to what went on in Vietnam or any other conflict. So unless you have the facts straight, please don't jump to conclusions. We came here for a reason. Please don't condemn us for doing what many others back in the states won't. Remember, freedom isn't free. It's our job as the United States military to help those who can't help themselves.

SGT Paul Cafuk
1438th Engineer
Detachment
Kirkuk, Iraq

Alright...so this is going to lack the flash and glitter; not to mention the spine tingling suspense most readers have grown used to from my witty musings...ummm, ok...not. Sorry.

I decided to start a blog since I have proven to be reliable by keeping "The Up-North News" and "The HillBilly Times" so very fresh and consintently....ummm, ok, sorry again.

Oh well. Hey...it's free!

Enjoy your stay,
K~
www.geocities.com/bergerfamily95/keithrants.html