An old friend passes

Once upon a time when I was a wee lad, I worked as a Paramedic in New Orleans. I miss it, and its people a lot. I try to keep up with a few friends from there, but it gets harder as the years go by. I found out today that an old friend Brian Bordelon passed away with the big C. He had been battling "the beast" as he calls it for 2 or 3 years. I have some good memories of Brian, I hope he found his way to heaven.
www.nopickles.net

Life's A-Changin'

Right now, I'm sitting back reminiscing about the last four years. Why? I'm being medically discharged for injuries sustained while on active duty. October first is my last day in the Army. I got myself a job with Forsyth County EMS in Winston-Salem, NC. I guess I'll go back to being a field Paramedic for awhile, and then try to get back into college. After multiple 600 mile trips, I have a house bought, a job waiting for me, and have applied to school and been accepted. So I guess I couldn't ask for a better situation. I guess I'll be a Demon Deacon now!

My Year Since Coming Home

Reality hits you right square in the eye. It's hard to imagine what a normal life is while you're over there doing whatever it is the Secretary of the Army decides is best for you. When you come back home, you rediscover friends, good times, going out and being crazy, and of course, what life is like with your unit in garrison. Don't get me wrong, training is good, but train us to fight, don't play silly games with us... I went to the NCO board today. I passed with 3 points below perfect. (147 out of 150) I realized, it doesn't matter how many rules you have, in a combat unit, what matters is that you will be a leader, you won't puss out, and you will be able to motivate your soldiers to the limit if that is what is required to accomplish the mission.

A couple of videos

I really don't have alot to say these days. I think I have one nugget of wisdom for you though. When you are bitching about how hot it is this summer, why don't you think about all those guys in Iraq going on nine hours worth of patrols a day in a hundred pounds of gear in a city where everyone wants to kill them? Your hot summer day isn't so bad anymore, is it?
Ok, here are a couple of vids for you.

The Pain Cycle

Why do we torture ourselves by denying ourselves what we want most? Is it some sense of morality? Who is to say what is moral? Ok, so morals are something that dictates proper behavior which is decided upon by society-at-large. But realistically, unless you are committing genocide, why should you deny yourself the pleasures you crave? In the Army we have a maxim, "It's always easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission." Maybe in the backwards, inefficient microcosm that is the military, they have one aspect of life figured out! I've been going through alot of uncertainty, and pain these past few months, trying to figure out just where I fit in. I came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter where you fit. Do what comes natural, and then have regrets, or congratulate yourself on a good decision. Don't stress on a decision you haven't made yet.

Panorama from the Al-Rasheed Hotel

Battalion Ball

We had our Welcome home Ball this weekend! It was a blast, even though there was a little sadness as well, remembering our fallen brothers. We recognized WIAs, and the families of KIAs. It was Richelle's Birthday weekend, so we stayed in the Marriott where the party was held. I am posting a couple of pics of the evening.